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Key All Blacks return for Chiefs’ derby with Hurricanes
Co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber are back for the Chiefs this week as they look to bounce back from their surprising loss to the Queensland Reds last Friday.
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The Chiefs have been sensational this season – starting the campaign with 10 wins on the bounce, before suffering the upset defeat to the Reds in New Plymouth.
But the Chiefs will be eager to return to the winners circle in round 13 when they host the high-flying Hurricanes at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium.
Amongst the 10 changes to the starting XV, All Blacks Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown are also back for the ladder-leaders.
Expecting a “significant challenge” against the Hurricanes on Saturday, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has named a star-studded side for the highly anticipated New Zealand derby.
“We are excited to be back at FMG Stadium Waikato and hope our loyal supporters will be there in force again to support the team, McMillan said in a statement.
“Whilst the loss last weekend hurt, there is value if we are able to adjust and grow from the lessons we learned and that has been our focus this week.
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“The Hurricanes pose significant challenge, particularly through their attack where they lead the competition in tries, clean breaks, defenders beaten, offloads, and post-contact metres – so we understand the challenge that’s coming and will need to be on.”
The Chiefs have named an all-new front row this week, which includes the return of world-class No. 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho. Aidan Ross and George Dyer will also pack down in the front row.
All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick returns to the run-on side, and will combine with Tupou Vaa’i in the second row.
Captain Sam Cane is also back for the Chiefs, and will add plenty of experience to a formidable loose forward trio which includes Pita Gus Sowakula and Luke Jacobson.
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In the backs, New Zealand internationals Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie will look to steer the Chiefs’ attack around the park as the halves.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Alex Nankivell will combine in the halves.
As for the outside backs, the Chiefs have named the electrifying trio of Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson.
The match is set to get underway at 7.05pm NZST at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium.
Chiefs team to take on Hurricanes
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Brodie Retallick
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Sam Cane (cc)
- Luke Jacobson
- Brad Weber
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Alex Nankivell
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Tyrone Thompson
- Ollie Norris
- John Ryan
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Simon Parker
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Ioane
- Rameka Poihipi
Players not considered due to injury: Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Samipeni Finau, Josh Lord, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai, Kaylum Boshier
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments