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Chiefs spring surprise ahead of Highlanders clash
The Chiefs have been named ahead of their Super Rugby derby opener against the Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato on Friday.
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Four promising youngsters will make their Chiefs debuts, with the biggest surprise coming at first-five-eighth.
21-year-old Orbyn Leger has been named in the number 10 jersey, as All Blacks pivot Damian McKenzie is rested by head coach Colin Cooper due to an ankle complaint.
Leger, who made seven appearances for the Blues as an injury cover replacement last season, was left out of the Chiefs’ initial squad when it was announced at the end of last year.
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However, the former New Zealand under-20 midfielder has been training with the Hamilton-based franchise throughout pre-season, and has done enough to earn a starting spot in the unfamiliar position of first-five following injuries to Tiaan Falcon, Jack Debreczeni and McKenzie.
There are three other debutants throughout the side, with former schoolboy prodigy Etene Nanai-Seturo named on the left wing.
He’s joined by former Blues midfielder Tumua Manu, who starts at centre, and Tongan-born Japan international winger Ataata Moeakiola, who will make his first outing in Chiefs colours from off the bench.
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“It will be a proud moment for our debutants when they run out with the team on Friday,” coach Cooper said.
“It is a privilege to wear the Gallagher Chiefs jersey and as a team we want to demonstrate to our whanau and supporters how proud we are to represent our region and club.”
Despite this influx of fresh talent, Cooper has also named a raft of familiar faces, with All Blacks Nathan Harris, Anton Leinert-Brown, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Angus Ta’avao and new co-captain Brodie Retallick all returning to the side after sitting out the team’s pre-season fixtures.
Club legend Stephen Donald also completes his comeback to the side as an injury replacement to help aide their first-five injury woes, being named on the bench to begin his third stint with the franchise.
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Chiefs team to play the Highlanders in Hamilton on Friday:
1. Atu Moli
2. Nathan Harris
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Brodie Retallick (c)
5. Michael Allardice
6. Mitchell Brown
7. Lachlan Boshier
8. Tyler Ardron
9. Brad Weber
10. Orbyn Leger
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Tumua Manu
14. Bailyn Sullivan
15. Shaun Stevenson
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Aidan Ross
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Taleni Seu
20. Jesse Parete
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Stephen Donald
23. Ataata Moeakiola
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments