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No McKenzie, Weber or Cane in Chiefs team to play Rebels
By Finn Morton
The Chiefs will turn to a new-look halves combination and the high-flying Shaun Stevenson on Saturday when they take on the Rebels without a number of their All Blacks stars.
After starting their season with three big victories, Super Rugby veterans Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber and Brodie Retallick have proven themselves to be among the form players of the competition.
Playmaker Damian McKenzie was especially impressive across the opening three rounds of the campaign, having returned to the Chiefs following a sabbatical in Japan.
But the ladder-leaders will look to extend their unbeaten streak to four games without some of their key players when they take the field at FMG Stadium.
Co-captains Brad Weber and Sam Cane have not been named in this weeks team, and neither has McKenzie or All Blacks centurion Brodie Retallick.
The Chiefs have made some significant changes ahead of their clash with the Rebels in Hamilton. In total, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made eight changes to his starting XV.
All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho has been relegated to the bench, with Tyrone Thompson set to start in the No. 2 jumper.
Along with Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i has also been left out of the team – with McMillian turning to a new-look second row combination. For the first time this season, Retallick and Vaa’i won’t start for the Chiefs.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Manaaki Selby-Rickit have been given the nod to start in their place at FMG Stadium.
Loose forward Luke Jacobson will captain the side from the openside flank, and will pack alongside Samipeni Finau and Pita Gus Sowakula in the backrow.
But the biggest shock – and potentially the biggest risk – is the new-look combination in the halves.
Rising star Cortez Ratima will start at halfback, and will partner Bryn Gatland who is set to run out in the No. 10 jersey.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged following last weeks 28-7 win over the Highlanders.
But the Chiefs certainly pack a punch with their bench this week, having named capped All Blacks Taukei’aho, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Josh Ioane.
The match against the Melbourne Rebels is set to get underway at 4:35pm NZT at FMG Stadium, Hamilton.
Chiefs to take on the Rebels
- Aidan Ross
- Tyrone Thompson
- John Ryan
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Samipeni Finau
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Cortez Ratima
- Bryn Gatland
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Alex Nankivell
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Ollie Norris
- George Dyer
- Laghlan McWhannell
- Kaylum Boshier
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
- Josh Ioane
- Peniasi Malimali
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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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