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Ladder-leading Chiefs name team to play Highlanders
By Finn Morton
The ladder-leading Chiefs have made four changes to their starting XV as they prepare to take on the winless Highlanders at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium on Friday.
After starting their campaign with big wins over the Crusaders and Moana Pasifika, the Chiefs will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season in round three.
The Chiefs have made three changes to their starting forward pack for the match which kicks-off at 7:05pm NZT on Friday.
All Black Aidan Ross returns to the starting side after missing last weekend’s Super Round clash at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Ross will pack down in the front row alongside world-class No. 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, and Irish prop John Ryan who comes into the starting side as well.
The former Ireland international made his Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench against the Crusaders in round one, and is set for his first start on Friday.
As for the rest of the tight five, Test duo Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i have retained their spots in the starting side again this week.
There is one change in the backrow with Pita Gus Sowakula moving to the bench. In his place, Naitoa Ah Kuoi will start at blindside flanker.
The Chiefs have named a familiar looking backline for the New Zealand derby, with the only change coming on the right wing.
Outside back Emoni Narawa is set to play his first Super Rugby Pacific match of the season after being named to start in the No. 14 jumper.
All Blacks Pita Gus Sowakula and Josh Ioane headline a strong bench for the Chiefs, which includes a potential debutant in Daniel Rona.
Chiefs team to take on the Highlanders
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- John Ryan
- Brodie Retallick
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Sam Cane (cc)
- Luke Jacobson
- Brad Weber (cc)
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Alex Nankivell
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Bradley Slater
- Ollie Norris
- George Dyer
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Samipeni Finau
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Ioane
- Daniel Rona
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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