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He's back: Wallace Sititi named for season debut against Force

Wallace Sititi of the Chiefs at training. Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images

The World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year could return to the rugby field for the first time in 2025 when the Chiefs host the Western Force in Mount Maunganui.

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Wallace Sititi has been named as one of six forwards on the Chiefs’ bench, furthering the ladder leaders’ title credentials just over a month out from the playoffs.

The round 11 matchup is a special one for All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho too, who is set to become a Chiefs centurion this weekend.

“Samisoni has earned every one of those 100 caps through commitment to the game and to the team. It’s a special milestone, and to celebrate it on Anzac Day, in front of a sold-out crowd at Bay Oval, makes it all the more meaningful,” said Head Coach Clayton McMillan.

Damian McKenzie has been ruled out of the game with a hand injury, but has been listed as “returning soon”, along with Leroy Carter (foot) and Etene Nanai-Seturo (hamstring).

Kaleb Trask’s timely return to fitness provides utility cover off the bench.

Chiefs team to play the Western Force

  1. Aidan Ross
  2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
  3. George Dyer
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Tupou Vaa’i
  6. Samipeni Finau
  7. Kaylum Boshier
  8. Luke Jacobson
  9. Cortez Ratima
  10. Josh Jacomb
  11. Daniel Rona
  12. Quinn Tupaea
  13. Anton Lienert-Brown
  14. Emoni Narawa
  15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Ollie Norris
18. Ruben O’Neill
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Simon Parker
21. Wallace Sititi
22. Te Toirua Tahuriorangi
23. Kaleb Trask

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Comments

2 Comments
I
IkeaBoy 61 days ago

Wallace, baby!!!!!!!!


What an absolute banger of a player.


I’m staying up late to watch this one.

l
lK 61 days ago

Great news!

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B.J. Spratt 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson names his 35-man All Blacks squad for France series

Great team. I really hope the All Blacks give France their biggest defeat in Test History.


Fabien Galthie: “I have no choice but to select a second-choice squad for their upcoming three-Test series against the All Blacks in New Zealand in July”


As explained by the FFR (Fédération Française de Rugby), Fabien Galthié will be allowed to:

– Select a group of 42 players, composed primarily of players who had played little to no game time in the previous Six Nations.


– Five players in total from the Top 14 finalists can be in the squad. However, those who have already played a certain number of games [not stipulated by any of the parties] can’t be included.


It suits Galthie’s aspirations for the next World Cup to tour with a second choice squad. No doubt the tour will ‘produce a star or two for France.


Let’s hope the All Blacks start well in the First Test of the series and sit the frogs on their arse.


Galthie is also allowed to bring French players to N.Z. who didn’t play in the First Test.


If France B, excel in the first test, I am pretty sure Galthie won’t be calling on his French Test players.


Let’s hope the All Blacks turn the French into "cuisses de grenouille"

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