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Damian McKenzie to reach Chiefs milestone against Waratahs
By Finn Morton
Playmaker Damian McKenzie will play his 100th match in Chiefs colours on Friday night when they take on the NSW Waratahs at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Since making his debut for the Chiefs in 2015, McKenzie has scored more than 800 points for the decorated Hamilton-based franchise.
The 40-Test All Black will become the ninth player to reach 100 appearances for the Chiefs in Round Five, having been named to start at fullback.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan congratulated McKenzie on achieving this milestone, saying he now sits “alongside some of the legends of our game.”
“Damian returned from his time away in Japan and has slotted back into the Gallagher Chiefs seamlessly,” McMillan said in a statement.
“He is an outstanding footballer who has an unbelievable skill-set, reads the game well, and is incredibly brave (on) both sides of the ball.
“Of the field he is an excellent contributor, loved by staff, his peers and our loyal fanbase.
“We all congratulate him on becoming the latest Gallagher Chief to play 100 games, and sit alongside some of the legends of our game who have achieved this significant milestone.”
The Chiefs will be boosted by the return of co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber, who were both omitted from last weekends team to play the Rebels.
All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick has also been named for his return, and will pack down in the second row alongside Manaaki Selby-Rickit.
Internationals Aidan Ross and John Ryan will start in the front row for the Chiefs alongside Bradley Slater, who comes into the starting side for the first time.
Samipeni Finau and Pita Gus Sowakula have both retained their places in the starting XV, and will line-up alongside co-captain Sam Cane in the backrow.
The inclusion of Weber and McKenzie are the only changes to the backline.
All Samisoni Taukei’aho will look to provide some impact off the bench again this week, while the high-flying Shaun Stevenson has been named in the No. 23 jumper.
The match kicks off at 9:35pm NZT on Friday.
Chiefs team to take on Waratahs
- Aidan Ross
- Bradley Slater
- John Ryan
- Brodie Retallick
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Samipeni Finau
- Sam Cane (cc)
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Brad Weber (cc)
- Bryn Gatland
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Alex Nankivell
- Emoni Narawa
- Damian McKenzie
Replacements:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Ollie Norris
- George Dyer
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Kaylum Boshier
- Cortez Ratima
- Daniel Rona
- Shaun Stevenson
Players not considered: Angus Ta’avao, Atu Moli, Josh Lord, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tupou Vaa’i, Laghlan McWhannell
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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