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Luke Jacobson set to captain new-look Chiefs side in New Plymouth
By Finn Morton
All Black Luke Jacobson will captain a new-look Chiefs outfit when they take on the Queensland Reds in New Plymouth on Friday.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made 10 changes to the starting side, including some potentially significant decisions at hooker, flanker and halfback.
The unbeaten Chiefs will be without All Blacks trio Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sam Cane and Brad Weber for the round 12 clash in Taranaki.
Instead, backrower Luke Jacobson will lead the team as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games in 2023.
The Chiefs have named a completely different front-row this week, while Tupou Vaa’i is the only player in the tight five to retain his spot in the run-on side.
Samipeni Finau and Simon Parker will start on the flanks, will captain Luke Jacobson will pack down at the back of the scrum.
Co-captain Brad Weber has not been named this week, instead, rising star Cortez Ratima will get another opportunity to star in the No. 9 jersey.
Ratima will line-up in the halves alongside in-form playmaker Damian McKenzie, who has retained his spot at first five.
The familiar back three trio of Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson has been named once again this week.
In-form centre Daniel Rona makes way for inside centre Rameka Poihipi, with Anton Lienert-Brown shifting out one spot in the midfield.
“It is home to a number of our players, and it will be a proud moment for those who were fit and available to play in front of friends and family,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.
“That played a part in our squad selection; alongside All Black rest protocols, increasing squad readiness for upcoming games, and respecting the huge challenge the Reds will bring.
“At this stage of the season, every point counts and I have no doubt both teams will come eager to lock horns in the bullring.”
The match between the Chiefs and Reds is set to kick-off at 7.05pm NZST at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, on Friday.
Chiefs team to take on Reds
- Jared Proffit
- Bradley Slater
- John Ryan
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Josh Lord
- Samipeni Finau
- Simon Parker
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Tyrone Thompson
- Ollie Norris
- Atunaisa Moli
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
- Josh Ioane
- Alex Nankivell
Players not considered due to injury: Angus Ta’avao, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Brodie Retallick, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai, Kaylum Boshier, Peniasi Malimali, Bryn Gatland
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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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