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Super Rugby Pacific

Jacobson and McKenzie return for Chiefs matchup against the Blues

By Henry Lee

9 days ago

Chiefs' Damian McKenzie goes on the attack against Western Force (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The table-topping Gallagher Chiefs will take on a struggling Blues side this weekend at FMG Stadium Waikato. The Chiefs will look to bounce back after losing to Fiji Drua last Saturday in Lautoka.

Star All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie will return at first-five for Clayton McMillan’s side, replacing Josh Jacomb.

Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson comes back into the starting lineup after recovering from his facial injury sustained in round two against the Crusaders.

After returning from a short stint at the Kubota Spears in Japan, fullback Shaun Stevenson takes his spot in the No.15 jersey this weekend, shifting Emoni Narawa back to his favoured No.14 jersey.

All Blacks loose forward Samipeni Finau will bring impact off the bench in his 50th Chiefs appearance.

Cortez Ratima and Samisoni Taukei’aho both return to the bench for impact roles, while Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Simon Parker both make the starting side for this week.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

Super Rugby Pacific round five is the ‘Super Kids’ round, where both teams will wear new jerseys in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Gallagher Chiefs v Blues, Saturday March 15, 7.05pm kick-off at FMG Stadium Waikato

Ollie Norris
Brodie McAlister
George Dyer
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Tupou Vaa’i
Simon Parker
Jahrome Brown
Luke Jacobson (c)
Xavier Roe
Damian McKenzie
Leroy Carter
Quinn Tupaea
Anton Lienert-Brown
Emoni Narawa
Shaun Stevenson
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Aidan Ross
Sione Ahio
Jimmy Tupou
Samipeni Finau (50th Gallagher Chiefs game)
Cortez Ratima
Josh Jacomb
Daniel Rona

Comments

1 Comment

Andrew Nichols 8 days ago

The Chiefs are not second placed. They are top of the ladder.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Samuel Almog 15 minutes ago

Reds bouyed despite McReight injury after dispatching 'soft' Tahs

A cryptocurrency investor was duped into investing $430,000 in a fraudulent platform, which led to the loss of their money. The platform disappeared overnight, leaving the investor with no way to recover their money. They contacted a group specializing in crypto recovery, who provided a professional service. They traced the flow of the investor's coins across the network using Bitcoin's blockchain, identifying the initial transfer and the endpoints. The team then froze the wallets holding the investor's funds before they could liquidate them. The investor was able to recover $430,000 worth of Bitcoin, which they had initially cashed out. The team then walked the investor through the final steps, including setting up a secure wallet, verifying the transfer, and watching the coins land. The investor was stunned to see their money back. The team at Wizard James Recovery turned a nightmare into a second chance, and the investor will never forget their experience. Whatsapp: +447418367204

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Samuel Almog 20 minutes ago

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Cantab 25 minutes ago

Five reasons why Super Rugby Pacific is enjoying it's best season in forever

By and large SRP is much more entertaining and even now. Getting more rugby in games now allied with much less TMO interference is a real positive. A major concern however is that more rugby means more injuries to players and extensive casualty wards often long term. I fear that come internationals teams will be decimated. What is the solution ??? Scheduled breaks in games to allow some recovery time ? Shorter games ? Better sports medicine ? Allow increase in reserves ? Extending rest protocols for players ?

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Easy_Duzz-it 35 minutes ago

Super Rugby Pacific's rebirth can finally restore the missing All Blacks edge

2024 All Blacks got cooked under pressure & when they need points they couldn’t find it …

D-Mac can create something out of nothing . But under presume he doesn’t have the goods . Barrett will kick the ball away first chance he gets , if he kicked into space it would be a string to his game . But it’s yet to be seen .

The starting 8 will be the key to the All Blacks . won’t matter who’s at 10 if the starting 8 don’t play a strong game . Ardie been carrying for to long . Will be on his last legs come 2027 hopefully by then we have more then just 1 or 2 ball carriers upfront who can actually make decent meters.

What’s the crowd draw for the games so far ? . I was watching the warriors play …

4 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 36 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Read a piece on Ian Whitten a while back…returned from Exeter to play with his brothers at Instonians. That would be a big boost for them?

28 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 39 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

I’ll comment, though Deepete better informed them I. There is the AIL, and I would say it is good in that there is now far more chance for clubs across all Ireland to compete for promotion the top level. It is interesting that the only two Ulster clubs in Div 1 A, teh top level, are Ballynahinch and Armagh. Pre the pro era they were junior clubs, and were stuck there. The great clubs of the pre pro era are either gone….North of Ireland and Collegians(though they combined), or are scattered down the leagues…Ballymena, who produced the great duo, Sid Millar and Willie John McBride, Dungannon, CIYMS.

See Deepet’s comment on Instonians below.

28 Go to comments

Samuel Almog 41 minutes ago

Mick Cleary: 'England are back among the heavyweights.'

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Mzilikazi 52 minutes ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Wallace v Armagh, Deepete. Had a personal interest in following that one, my support with Armagh. Kenny Hooks coached them for a hell of a long time, lifted a small school to great heights. I coached him for five years…..2 Medallion, then 3 1st XV. He retired after some 41 years there last year, so was not involved with this year’s team.

Interesting to see Wallace now a power, and for them, happy to see them finally win the Cup…after some 7 ateempts. When I was coaching, Wallace were a hockey school, just beginning to play some rugby. Quite a transition.

Actually I’m sad to see the decline of some formerly great rugby schools. Coleraine Inst, Bangor GS now no longer competitive at all.

28 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

“What do you think you’d put down their success then to?” Special group of players coming together at that time, and good coaches, JW. Jimmy Davidson, and Harry Williams…..latter coached Ulster when they won the Heineken Cup. I began my coaching career under him, so knew him very well. Davidson played for Ireland, knew him well enough too. Outstanding man, sadly died of cancer few years ago.

“And how might it relate to current day?” Pondering that one, not so easy. I would say just not enough really talented playes, esp. in key positions. Flyhalf be one, scrumhalf too. John Cooney was great, now older. Days of having Ruan Pienaar were better. Probably coaching too, All recent coaches seem to struggle. Take Les Kiss. I would rate him a very good coach, went on the lift London Irish a lot till they folded financially. Now doing a good job with Qld, may soon be WB coach.

“when you say ‘we’ the lad was from Ulster?” No, Leinster, Kilkenny now, Roscrea previously, so schools outside Dublin. They don’t generally have the coaching expertise that schools like Blackrock can call on. Roscrea did win the Schools Cup in 2015…think they brought in a professional coach that year.

28 Go to comments

davidjohnson 1 hour ago

Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2025 Six Nations

Hello, good day everyone. I want to use this medium to share with you how my life changed from a Iberia food truck driver to who I am today. This can be anybody and it can still be you, because time is never too late. My name is David Johnson from Brooklyn, New York city! Playing the lottery was my passion. I've played for years not winning anything before I met with Dr Marcus. He was the man who gave me numbers to play after putting to work. He makes me believe in spirituality. Because I was skeptical about it. I went out that morning to play despite being sick that day. That evening a friend of mine who works in the same company called me and said 'Dave, somebody won the Powerball at the gas station. The next morning I checked my numbers. I still don't believe I've won so I have to stop back at the gas station to finally check my ticket before going into work. I looked at the board and I'm like "oh my God" I won $298.3 million. jumped up and down the store...... Quickly got back in my car, turned the music up and zoomed home. I was so happy I couldn't even eat. I was hungry but my stomach was full! All thanks to you Dr. I'm forever grateful I never believed but he changed my life, reach him today drmacusspellcaster@gmail.com or WhatsApp +234 811-049-2028, I believe he will be there for you as well...

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davidjohnson 1 hour ago

Ireland player ratings vs Italy | 2025 Six Nations

Hello, good day everyone. I want to use this medium to share with you how my life changed from a Iberia food truck driver to who I am today. This can be anybody and it can still be you, because time is never too late. My name is David Johnson from Brooklyn, New York city! Playing the lottery was my passion. I've played for years not winning anything before I met with Dr Marcus. He was the man who gave me numbers to play after putting to work. He makes me believe in spirituality. Because I was skeptical about it. I went out that morning to play despite being sick that day. That evening a friend of mine who works in the same company called me and said 'Dave, somebody won the Powerball at the gas station. The next morning I checked my numbers. I still don't believe I've won so I have to stop back at the gas station to finally check my ticket before going into work. I looked at the board and I'm like "oh my God" I won $298.3 million. jumped up and down the store...... Quickly got back in my car, turned the music up and zoomed home. I was so happy I couldn't even eat. I was hungry but my stomach was full! All thanks to you Dr. I'm forever grateful I never believed but he changed my life, reach him today drmacusspellcaster @gmail. com or WhatsApp +234 811-049-2028, I believe he will be there for you as well...

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MD 1 hour ago

Ma’a Nonu devient co-propriétaire du San Diego Legion (MLR)

Un bon signal pour la MLR. À voir si sa formation d’entraineur en France lui a donné l’idée de militer pour une politique similaire à celle des JIFF aux U.S.

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MD 1 hour ago

Transfert : le RC Vannes va perdre Stephen Varney

Espèrons qu’il puisse enfin s’affirmer dans un club et avec la nazionale.

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Samuel Almog 1 hour ago

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MD 1 hour ago

La Major League Rugby diffusée gratuitement en France

Un championnat qui a du potentiel. Le niveau des équipes est encore hétérogène et une vrai politique de formation doit être mise en place.

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TokoRFC 2 hours ago

The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

Do you think NZ can go 6-2 with at least one player backline player covering each backline position? Ie. only needing a forward in the backs in the event of 2 injuries? Just wondering because, most of our backs play multiple positions, its seems like we aren’t utilizing that.

Don’t get me wrong 5-3 should be our go to but surely it should be 5-3 with best players in preferred positions or 6-2 with some utility options. We seem stuck in between the two.

In any case we need an answer to France and Boks if they are can go for a 7-1. Kirifi could be that 6th impact forward we need.

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Deepete 2 hours ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Indeed. A development team gives the impression that the players go on to greater things, which isn't the case. Most Ulster players fade into obscurity. A graveyard might be a better metaphor

28 Go to comments

Deepete 2 hours ago

'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

That's a fine question, JW. As far as I'm concerned the Ulster domestic clubs are faring ok. The biggest news in Irish Club rugby for the last few years has been the rise and rise of Instonians (a Belfast team) who have been rocketing up the leagues. They were once a large club who then had maybe 2 decades floundering in the low leagues but for whatever reason have really progressed and look set to get promoted into league 1b (consider it the 2nd division). Their story certainly could be an inspiration for a fallen Ulster outfit!

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PR 2 hours ago

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