Three All Blacks return to Chiefs as Brad Weber set for 100th appearance
The Gallagher Chiefs have been named to face the Blues at Eden Park this Saturday. The occasion will be extremely special for Co-Captain Brad Weber who has been named to start in what will be his 100th match in a Gallagher Chiefs jersey.
Weber is set to become the club’s eighth ‘Chiefs Centurion’ joining the exclusive group which includes Liam Messam, Hika Elliot, Stephen Donald, Tanerau Latimer, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Cruden.
The team to face the Blues also includes the return of All Blacks Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i who will start at six for the first time in a Gallagher Chiefs jersey.
Loosehead prop Aidan Ross gains his first start of the season with Ollie Norris moving to the bench, as does hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho after celebrating his 50th Gallagher Chiefs match in round one. Sione Mafileo keeps his starting position at tighthead prop to complete the front row.
The starting locking duo is a mix of All Blacks youth and experience, with Josh Lord gaining his first start in the number 4 jersey, joined by Brodie Retallick in the number 5 jersey.
All Black Tupou Vaa’i returns to start at blindside flanker, alongside Co-Captain Sam Cane at openside. The powerful Pita Gus Sowakula keeps his Number 8 spot to round out the starting pack.
In the backs, Co-Captain Brad Weber will start at halfback in his 100th match for the Gallagher Chiefs, pairing up with Josh Ioane who keeps his number 10 jersey from round one.
No change to the starting midfield which faced the Highlanders with Quinn Tupaea at second five-eighth and Alex Nankivell at centre. In the back three, Etene Nanai-Seturo gains his first start of the season on the left wing, accompanied by Shaun Stevenson on the right and Chase Tiatia at fullback, who also earns his first start of 2022.
The Gallagher Chiefs bench is a 5/3 split with hooker Bradley Slater and props Ollie Norris and Angus Ta’avao covering the front row.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Kaylum Boshier have again been named on the bench in jerseys 19 and 20 respectively. In the backs, Waikato halfback Xavier Roe will cover the impending Chiefs Centurion, and Bryn Gatland retains his spot on the bench.
All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returns for the first time this season in jersey 23 to round out the team to face the Blues.
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan acknowledged Weber on the significant milestone he is set to achieve.
“Brad’s contribution to the Gallagher Chiefs throughout his career has been immense, and he thoroughly deserves to stand alongside an exclusive group of Chiefs Centurions when he brings up his 100th this Saturday,” said McMillan.
“He is an outstanding team man, consummate professional and clearly a great player. We look forward to sharing this auspicious milestone with Brad, alongside his partner, friends and family.”
McMillan said the team is ready for what should be an intense rivalry match against the Blues.
“The Blues were very impressive for the majority of their game against the Hurricanes. They physically imposed themselves on the game both sides of the ball, looked organised, hungry and dangerous across the park, said McMillan.
“They would have understandably been hurt by the loss and we expect a sharp response from them this weekend, particularly home at Eden Park. We also know this fixture is a highlight on the calendar for our loyal supporters given our long history as rivals, so as always, we are focused on delivering a performance our Chiefs wh?nau will be proud of.”
Chiefs to face Blues:
1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Sione Mafileo
4. Josh Lord
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Tupou Vaa’i
7. Sam Cane (cc)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula
9. Brad Weber (cc) – 100th Match
10. Josh Ioane
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Alex Nankivell
14. Shaun Stevenson
15. Chase Tiatia
Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Xavier Roe
22. Bryn Gatland
23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Unavailable for selection:
Luke Jacobson, Gideon Wrampling, Kaleb Trask, Mitch Brown, Reuben O’Neill, Simon Parker.
Comments on RugbyPass
“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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 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
4 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments