1
Chiefs to face Sunwolves without All Blacks trio
By Online Editors
The Chiefs are preparing to face the Sunwolves in Hamilton this weekend without the services of All Blacks trio Anton Lienert-Brown, Nathan Harris and Nepo Laulala.
That was the verdict from head coach Colin Cooper today, who told TVNZ that his three test stars are being forced out of contention due to the management of the All Blacks' game time in the opening three rounds of Super Rugby as the World Cup looms.
Despite this, Chiefs co-captain and All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will be available for selection, albeit for only 33 minutes of the contest.
"Nathan Harris, Anton Lienert-Brown, Nepo Laulala are all having All Black rests," Cooper said.
"He's [Retallick] got minutes that we can use. We had a plan to take him off in the Brumbies game, but obviously Michael Allardice got injured. He had to play the whole 80.
"It would have been better to play more minutes in this game in front of his home crowd, but we're on limited minutes because of the All Blacks."
[embed]
"6006509262001"]
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars
3
Springboks flyhalf's latest injury worry
4
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
5
Latest Comments
Perofeta came back and was available for the eoyt right? Or was that why Love was in the squad (but got injured in the last week)?
It was such a frustrating year. Perofeta looked a service stop gap until Jordan was fit, but then got injured. Plummer was selected because of Pero's injury and dmac shat the bed in the second half in Australia but Clarke (?) got himself binned at the 65 min mark so Plummer couldn't come on (at least with the risk adverse Razors thinking) when he was planned to.
So many other exciting opportunities that could have happened without injuries, but then theyre probably balanced by knowing Sititi probably wouldn't have been given a chance without multiple injuries happened.
Go to commentsIf they want to improve they need a backs coach. Thats the big area they have failed this year. Talent isnt the problem. Coaching is.
Go to comments