Wallace Sititi to captain Chiefs as All Blacks quartet rested vs Blues

The Chiefs have rested a quartet of key All Blacks and lost another three regular starters to injury this week, as they prepare to host the Blues in the final round of the regular season.

Jono Gibbes’ men have already locked down the No.2 seed heading into the playoffs, so have decided to give Samisoni Taukeia’ho, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea the week off. Ollie Norris has been sidelined for one week with a knee injury, while Xavier Roe and Isaac Hutchinson have unclear recovery timelines after sustaining concussions and hamstring injuries, respectively.

The changes mean Wallace Sititi will wear the captain’s armband for the first time in his young Chiefs career.

“It’s a huge honour to captain the Gallagher Chiefs against the Blues, and I want to thank the coaches, my family and the Lord for this opportunity,” said Sititi, who grew up in Auckland.

“Derbies are always big games and this week is no different. The Blues are a tough opponent, and we need to be ready for that.”

The Chiefs have named uncapped prop Keran van Staden on the bench for his potential debut. It’s the latest progression for the 23-year-old who has been coming through the ranks with Counties Manukau over the past three seasons.

Overall, there are eight changes to the starting XV that suffered a narrow loss to the Crusaders last week.

“We’ve earned the right to manage the team how we want to thanks to the efforts of everyone through the season,” Gibbes explained.

“It means we can freshen some guys up, but we also know that the intensity of the playoffs means injuries are possible so it’s good to be able to give more players an opportunity so when called upon, everyone is ready to play.”

The ‘Battle of the Bombays’ tends to have some added emotion in it, and the Blues are fighting for a home qualifying final next week.

Gibbes added: “The Blues in Hamilton is a massive fixture and a game we always want to do well in.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

21

24

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

40%

Chiefs team to play the Blues

1. Jared Proffit
2. Tyrone Thompson
3. George Dyer
4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Josh Lord
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Wallace Sititi (c)
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Josh Jacomb
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Reon Paul
13. Daniel Rona
14. Daniel Sinkinson
15. Liam Coombes-Fabling

Reserves

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Benét Kumeroa
18. Keran van Staden*
19. Fiti Sa
20. Kaylum Boshier (vc)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Tepaea Cook-Savage
23. Lalakai Foketi

Injury list

Leroy Carter – Hamstring – QF
Damian McKenzie – Concussion – QF
Ollie Norris – Knee – QF
Emoni Narawa – Foot – SF
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season
Isaac Hutchinson – Concussion – TBC
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – TBC
Reuben O’Neill – Concussion – TBC
Xavier Roe – Hamstring – TBC