Chiefs bring in big names for Brumbies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has made a raft of changes to his side named to face the Brumbies in Hamilton.
An unchanged front row will be joined by a new locking duo of Michael Allardice and Mitchell Brown. Fans will welcome the return of All Black flank Luke Jacobson at No.6, Chiefs captain Sam Cane at No.7 and the powerful Pita Gus Sowakula returning to start at No.8 to complete an experienced forward pack.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will pair with Aaron Cruden in the halves, shifting Cruden’s understudy Kaleb Trask to the bench. Alex Nankivell will remain at inside centre combining with All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returning in the No.13 jersey, shifting Quinn Tupaea to the bench in jersey No.23. The back three will feature the welcomed return of speedster Sam McNicol on the left wing and in form wing Sean Wainui on the right, with dynamic All Black fullback Damian McKenzie completing an elusive back three.
In the reserves, experienced front row cover in hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, props Reuben O’Neill and Ross Geldenhuys will be joined by lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi and flanker Mitchell Karpik. Taranaki halfback Lisati Milo-Harris will look to come off the bench for his Super Rugby debut.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Sam McNicol, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Quinn Tupaea.
Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 AEDT; 06.05 GMT)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Dan Waenga (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
