Some ‘obvious absentees’ in Chiefs’ team to take on Brumbies
All Blacks Tupou Vaa’i and Anton Lienert-Brown will miss the Chiefs’ match against the Brumbies on Saturday, and fullback Shaun Stevenson has been relegated to the bench.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has named a relatively unchanged side for his blockbuster trans-Tasman derby in Canberra, but there are some “obvious absentees.”
Vaa’i is being rested as per the All Blacks’ mandatory policy, which gives 24-year-old Laghlan McWhannell the chance to start alongside veteran Brodie Retallick.
As for the rest of the forward pack, Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer make up the front row trio for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have named a familiar looking loose forward combination with All Blacks Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson set to pack down in the back row.
Co-captain Brad Weber will combine with Josh Ioane in the halves, while Damian McKenzie shifts from flyhalf to fullback.
Rameka Poihipi returns to the run-on side, and will link up with the reliable Alex Nankivell in the midfield.
Former All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nani-Seturo has retained his spot on the left wing, while Emoni Narawa will line up on the right.
“It’s an important game for us against the Brumbies,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.
“They gave us a real lesson last year and are particularly tough at home in Canberra where their tactical kicking game and maul are real weapons.
“We have selected a largely stable team, with Tupou Vaa’i and Anton Lienert-Brown the obvious absentees as they sit out their last All Blacks rest weeks.
“The team has had an excellent week of preparation and is excited about the opportunity of being on the road, building our connection as a group and finding growth in our game.”
The highly anticipated blockbuster between the Brumbies and Chiefs is set to get underway at 9.35pm NZST on Saturday at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.
Chiefs team to take on Brumbies
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Brodie Retallick
- Laghlan McWhannell
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Sam Cane (cc)
- Luke Jacobson
- Brad Weber (cc)
- Josh Ioane
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Alex Nankivell
- Emoni Narawa
- Damian McKenzie
Replacements:
- Bradley Slater
- Ollie Norris
- John Ryan
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Samipeni Finau
- Cortez Ratima
- Daniel Rona
- Shaun Stevenson
Players not considered due to injury: Angus Ta’avao, Quinn Tupaea, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Josh Lord, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai, Kaylum Boshier
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I’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
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