No McKenzie, Weber or Cane in Chiefs team to play Rebels

The Chiefs will turn to a new-look halves combination and the high-flying Shaun Stevenson on Saturday when they take on the Rebels without a number of their All Blacks stars.

After starting their season with three big victories, Super Rugby veterans Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber and Brodie Retallick have proven themselves to be among the form players of the competition.

Playmaker Damian McKenzie was especially impressive across the opening three rounds of the campaign, having returned to the Chiefs following a sabbatical in Japan.

But the ladder-leaders will look to extend their unbeaten streak to four games without some of their key players when they take the field at FMG Stadium.

Co-captains Brad Weber and Sam Cane have not been named in this weeks team, and neither has McKenzie or All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick.

The Chiefs have made some significant changes ahead of their clash with the Rebels in Hamilton. In total, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made eight changes to his starting XV.

All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho has been relegated to the bench, with Tyrone Thompson set to start in the No. 2 jumper.

Along with Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i has also been left out of the team – with McMillian turning to a new-look second row combination. For the first time this season, Retallick and Vaa’i won’t start for the Chiefs.

Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Manaaki Selby-Rickit have been given the nod to start in their place at FMG Stadium.

Loose forward Luke Jacobson will captain the side from the openside flank, and will pack alongside Samipeni Finau and Pita Gus Sowakula in the backrow.

But the biggest shock – and potentially the biggest risk – is the new-look combination in the halves.

Rising star Cortez Ratima will start at halfback, and will partner Bryn Gatland who is set to run out in the No. 10 jersey.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged following last weeks 28-7 win over the Highlanders.

But the Chiefs certainly pack a punch with their bench this week, having named capped All Blacks Taukei’aho, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Josh Ioane.

The match against the Melbourne Rebels is set to get underway at 4:35pm NZT at FMG Stadium, Hamilton.

Chiefs to take on the Rebels

1. Aidan Ross
2. Tyrone Thompson
3. John Ryan
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Bryn Gatland
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Rameka Poihipi
13. Alex Nankivell
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson

Replacements:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Laghlan McWhannell
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Josh Ioane
23. Peniasi Malimali