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Undefeated Chiefs welcome back key All Blacks for Crusaders match
By Finn Morton
The undefeated Chiefs have been the form team of Super Rugby Pacific this season, but they face another tough test against title holders the Crusaders on Saturday.
Following their opening round 31-10 win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, the ladder-leading Chiefs haven’t looked back.
Led by Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson, the Chiefs have overcome each and every test that has come their way – but it doesn’t get much tougher than the Crusaders.
McKenzie and Stevenson have both returned to their usual positions ahead of the round 10 clash, as the Chiefs look to record a regular season double over the title holders.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made nine changes to the run-on side, and has included a staggering eight All Blacks in the matchday 23.
Aidan Ros and George Dyer return to the starting side this week, with the props set to pack down alongside All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho in the front row.
Tupou Vaa’i returns to the second row, while All Blacks Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson are also set to play after missing the round nine clash with the Fijian Drua.
As for the backline, Test star Brad Weber is back at halfback this week, while Cortez Ratima has been relegated back to the bench.
Damian McKenzie shifts from fullback to flyhalf, while Shaun Stevenson will don the No. 15 jersey after impressing on the right wing last weekend.
Rameka Poihipi gets the nod at second five and will partner rising star Daniel Rona in the midfield.
Coach Clayton McMillan expects Saturday night’s clash to be “a banger” between two top teams.
“They embarrassed us last year with their urgency and accuracy after we had beaten them in Christchurch a few weeks earlier, so we know what’s coming out way,” McMillan said in a statement.
“There are areas that feed their game, particularly in big matches, and our challenge is to starve them of those opportunities whilst earning the right to play the expansive game we want to play.
“It should be a banger and we are hoping a massive crowd come along to support the lads.”
Chiefs team to take on Crusaders
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Brodie Retallick
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Sam Cane
- Luke Jacobson
- Brad Weber
- Damian McKenzie
- Etene Nanai-Seturo
- Rameka Poihipi
- Daniel Rona
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Replacements:
- Tyrone Thompson
- Ollie Norris
- John Ryan
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Pita Gus Sowakula
- Cortez Ratima
- Bryn Gatland
- Lalomilo Lalomilo
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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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