Cane leads reshuffled Chiefs
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chiefs will return to Hamilton for their final regular season home game, when they face the Reds on Friday.
Coach Colin Cooper has reshuffled his forward pack, after Mitchell Brown sustained a knee injury against the Blues.
Angus Ta’avao is also on All Blacks leave.
Nepo Laulala will start at tighthead prop, with Sosefo Kautai joining the bench as cover in jersey No.18.
Tyler Ardron combines with Jesse Parete in a formidable locking duo.
Sam Cane will start at No.6 and Lachlan Boshier at No.7, moving Mitchell Karpik to the bench in jersey No.20.
Pita Gus Sowakula will complete the forward pack, starting at No.8.
The only change to the exciting Chiefs backline sees Alex Nankivell starting at inside centre, in lieu of Anton Lienert-Brown – who earns a week off with All Blacks leave.
On the reserves bench, Samisoni Taukei’aho moves onto the bench in place of Liam Polwart, who has been ruled out with a concussion.
Counties Manukau lock Daymon Leasuasu is set to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench in jersey No.19.
Utility back Jack Debreczeni returns to the fold alongside Sean Wainui named on the bench in jersey No.22 and No.23 respectively.
Loosehead prop Aidan Ross and halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi retain their positions in the reserves.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Sam Cane (captain), 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Daymon Leasuasu, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Sean Wainui.
Date: Friday, May 24
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 Brisbane time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Dan Waenga (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
