Chiefs name new captain to lead team into battle against Waratahs

Flanker Kaylum Boshier will lead the Chiefs into battle for the first time this Super Rugby Pacific season with usual skipper Luke Jacobson being ruled out of the fixture due to an injury.

Boshier, who was the Taranaki Bulls’ co-skipper when they won the National Provincial Competition (NPC) in 2023, has served as a co-captain alongside Rameka Poihipi this season.

But the 25-year-old will wear the No.7 jumper and have the ‘C’ next to his name on Friday night when the Chiefs take on a hungry NSW Waratahs outfit at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

The Chiefs’ last match before their bye week was a disappointing 36-23 defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington, while the Tahs will take plenty of confidence out of their golden point 43-40 win over the Crusaders.

“We are looking forward to making the trip over to Sydney. The team is feeling refreshed after (our) bye week and the time on the road will be a good chance to reconnect,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.

“Kaylum also gets his chance to lead the side this weekend. He has gone about his work this season and does a lot of the unseen work both on and off the field. He isn’t one who enjoys the sound of his own voice but when he speaks, people listen. He will do a great job leading the team this week.

“The competition to date has been really competitive,” he added. “The Waratahs have a quality roster and are much better than what the point table shows.

“They pressure your breakdown, defend resolutely, and can play some high-octane rugby. With both teams coming off a bye, there will be no shortage of energy and intent.

“We are anticipating a real battle and have prepared well.”

Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Goerge Dyer will form a familiar front row trio later this week, while Jimmy Tupou has been named to start alongside Tupou Vaa’i in the second row.

Captain Boshier has been named at openside flanker and will link up with All Black Samipeni Finau and the returning Wallace Sititi to round out the rest of the forward pack.

Cortez Ratima has been named ahead of Xavier Roe in the run-on side again this week, with the rising star set to combine with All Black Damian McKenzie once again.

Rameka Poihipi and Anton Lienert-Brown are the centres, while Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson take their usual place in the outside backs.

The reserves list certainly packs a punch as well with the likes of Tyrone Thompson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Ioane and Quinn Tupaea set to provide impact off the pine.

This fixture at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium between the Tahs and Chiefs will get underway at 9:35 pm NZT on Friday night.

Chiefs team to take on Waratahs

1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. George Dyer
4. Jimmy Tupou
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Kaylum Boshier (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Rameka Poihipi
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson

Replacements

16. Tyrone Thompson
17. Jared Proffit
18. Reuben O’Neill
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20. Simon Parker
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Ioane
23. Quinn Tupaea

Unavailable: Kaleb Trash, Josh Lord, Ollie Norris, Luke Jacobson