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Quinn Tupaea shifts position for Hurricanes showdown

Quinn Tupaea of the Chiefs during the round 1 Super Rugby match between the Blues and the Chiefs at Eden Park, on February 14, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
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32 Comments

The Chiefs are set to host the ladder-leading Hurricanes in another eagerly anticipated Super Rugby Pacific derby this weekend, and there is some intriguing movement in the hosts’ matchday 23 for the occasion.

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Quinn Tupaea has been shifted out one place in the backline, named to start in the No.13 jersey he adopted briefly for the All Blacks in 2025. It will be the 26-year-old’s first start at centre in Super Rugby since his rookie season. Reon Paul earns the first start of his Super Rugby career at second five-eighth.

Chiefs fans will be pleased to see Wallace Sititi return to the matchday 23, with the 23-year-old named on the bench seven weeks after his last and only match of the season to date.

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The other big news for the Hamilton-based club is that captain Luke Jacobson will celebrate his 100th game in Chiefs colours, named at openside flanker for the milestone.

“Luke will join a special group of great Chiefs men on Saturday. It’s a testament to his longevity, his work ethic, and his professionalism for him to reach this milestone. He’s constantly setting and maintaining standards in our environment, and keeping everyone accountable as leaders should. It’ll be a special occasion for him and for our club,” Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes said.

Gibbes has opted for a 6/2 bench split, with 10 All Blacks in the starting XV and two on the bench.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
22
25
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
60%

Chiefs team to play the Hurricanes 

  1. Ollie Norris
  2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
  3. George Dyer
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
  6. Samipeni Finau
  7. Luke Jacobson (C) (100th Match)
  8. Simon Parker
  9. Cortez Ratima
  10. Damian McKenzie
  11. Kyren Taumoefolau
  12. Reon Paul
  13. Quinn Tupaea (VC)
  14. Leroy Carter
  15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Reserves

  1. Brodie McAlister
  2. Jared Proffit
  3. Reuben O’Neill
  4. Fiti Sa
  5. Kaylum Boshier
  6. Wallace Sititi
  7. Xavier Roe
  8. Josh Jacomb

injury list

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Lalakai Foketi – Hand – Round 11-13
Kyle Brown – Hip – Round 11
Daniel Rona – Hamstring –  Round 14
Tupou Vaa’i – Concussion – Round 11
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – Round 16-QF
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season
Emoni Narawa – Foot – Round 16-QF
Sione Ahio – Quad – TBC

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Comments

32 Comments
P
PickOllieMathisOrKeepLosing,Rob. 28 days ago

Light it up Quinn! We’re a bit thin at 13.

D
DC 29 days ago

owell lets see how it goes for him

J
Jordon 29 days ago

This is a defensive-minded adjustment to shut down the canes midfield. Will be interesting to see how it returns out.

B
BigMack 29 days ago

I wonder if this was a request from Dave Rennie?


QT certainly went well at centre in the game against the much-hyped Joseph Sua'ali'i in the Wallabies game last year.


JB 12 / QT 13 is possibly our most balanced pairing?


JB 12 / LF 13:

Leicester had some defensive lapses last year. Hopefully that improves.


QT 12 / LF 13:

As above


That’s without throwing Tavatavanawai/Proctor/Ioane into the conversation.

K
Karlos G 29 days ago

From what l've seen this year not sure about Faingunuku making the 15, he has a bad case of the droppsies especially when going into contact perhaps a pair of vice grips and some more arm curls, few tips from Love on this!

His defence needs improvement too…maybe a bench roll since Crusaders been trialling in a hybrid position🤔

C
Chiefs Mana 29 days ago

Suspect they want Carter marking FF on the wing and all other centres are injured. Will be interesting although i was very excited about the Barrett vs Tupaea match up. They seem eager to give hometown players a run and Reon Paul is a Welly boy which may play a role too.

B
B 29 days ago

Billy has Jason Holland in his corner and Quinn has Roger Randell…

‘Canes by <12…

J
JW 29 days ago

This is a great move to put pressure on the best player in the comp. I hope this is Rennie idea, the Canes will be a handful for him to deal with. Great learning expereince.

J
Jordon 29 days ago

How is moving him out one going to put pressure on cam roigard?

c
cnw 29 days ago

A bit of a litmus test for Tupaea and a measure of his suitability to fill that role for ABs.

B
Blackmania 29 days ago

Interesting to see Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor facing each other. They will probably be competing for a place with the All Blacks.

A
Andrew Nichols 28 days ago

No. They will both be picked.

T
TokoRFC 29 days ago

This is a great point, will likely be Tupaeas best chance at a starting spot. Although a genuine 12-13 is sorely needed since ALB has gone backwards the last few years

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