Chiefs rest Damian McKenzie against 'dangerous beast' Crusaders

Damian McKenzie will not participate in the round-six contest against the Crusaders, with the Chiefs instead opting to rest their superstar playmaker in Christchurch.

McKenzie has started all five games so far this season for the Chiefs, meaning a rest this week was mandatory given his All Blacks requirements.

In his place, young gun NPC champion Josh Jacomb will make the first start of his young Super Rugby career, partnering Xavier Roe in the halves.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for Josh Jacomb who gets his first start in a Chiefs Jersey, not only through Damian's absence but as a reward for the hard work he has put in to get to this point," Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said. "We believe he can develop into something pretty special and can’t wait to see him run the cutter this week.”

McMillan also addressed the state of the Crusaders, traditionally a “formidable foe” but currently occupying last place on the table with five losses in as many weeks.

“No one is accustomed to seeing them start a season as they have, but in our view that makes them a dangerous beast. They have a lot of quality people down there and know they have the capacity to improve quickly. The challenge is to ensure it’s not against us.

“We are far from the finished product ourselves, where we have fluctuated between moments of brilliance and others that are sometimes short of our own expectations. But I love how this group own that, and there is no better opposition to see if the lessons learned can be applied quickly and effectively. It should make for another great game.”

Chiefs team to face Crusaders

1. Aidan Ross

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho

3. George Dyer

4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit

5. Josh Lord

6. Naitoa Ah Kuoi

7. Kaylum Boshier

8. Luke Jacobson

9. Xavier Roe

10. Josh Jacomb

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo

12. Quinn Tupaea

13. Anton Lienert-Brown

14. Emoni Narawa

15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves

16. Bradley Slater

17. Jared Proffit

18. Reuben O’Neill

19. Jimmy Tupou

20. Simon Parker

21. Cortez Ratima

22. Josh Ioane

23. Daniel Rona

Unavailable for selection: Kaleb Trask, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrone Thompson, Malachi Wrampling, Damian McKenzie (All Blacks rest).