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Star players return for Chiefs’ quarter-final with Reds
Coming into this year’s Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, most rugby fans would agree that the Hamilton-based Chiefs are the favourites for championship glory.
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The Chiefs were sensational throughout the regular season, and almost went undefeated. But they fell to the Queensland Reds in a thriller last month.
While the sole defeat is a minor blip on an otherwise sensational campaign, the Chiefs will look to avenge that defeat in this weekend’s quarter-final.
The minor premiers will host their trans-Tasman rivals in a quasi-rematch of sorts – although more accurately, it’s a straight shootout for a chance to progress to the final four.
Following their big win over the Western Force in Perth – which saw the Chiefs rest a number of frontline stars – coach Clayton McMillan has named a familiar looking line-up this week.
Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukai’aho and John Ryan will pack down in the front row, while All Blacks Brodie Retallick and Josh Lord will combine at lock.
Exciting blindside Samipeni Finau will start on one flank, and co-captain Sam Cane the other. In-form backrower Luke Jacobson will pack down at the back of the scrum.
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Halfback Brad Weber will link up with Damian McKenzie in the halves, while Shaun Stevenson will look to inject himself into attacking phases from fullback.
Rameka Poihipi moves from flyhalf to inside centre, and will run out alongside Anton Lienert-Brown in the midfield.
The two wingers this week are the electrifying duo of Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa.
“We look forward to hosting the Reds and playing in front of our passionate supporters in what should be a cracking game at FMG Stadium Waikato,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.
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“They were deserved winners in our last encounter where their tactical kicking game, ability to build high phase counts and greater desperation proved to be the difference.
“Notwithstanding the challenge the Reds bring, we have focused on ourselves this week and named a largely settled side.
“Having returned from Perth and navigating a shorter training week, we have removed a lot of clutter, understanding our players are at their best when they are clear on their roles and can play with freedom.”
Alex Nankivell and Tupou Vaa’i have both been ruled out of this blockbuster quarter-final due to injuries.
The match is set to get underway at 4.35pm NZST at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium on Saturday.
Chiefs team to take on Reds
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukai’aho
- John Ryan
- Brodie Retallick
- Josh Lord
- Samipeni Finau
- Sam Cane (cc)
- Luke Jacobson
- Brad Weber (cc)
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Bradley Slater
- Ollie Norris
- George Dyer
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Ioane
- Daniel Rona
Players unavailable due to injury: Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Laghlan McWhannell, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Alex Nankivell, Tupou Vaa’i
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments