Chiefs in Gear for 'Canes clash

 

Ahead of one of the most anticipated matches this season, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said: "The Hurricanes are the form team of the competition. 

 

"They are a team full of experienced players and have combinations that have played together for a number of seasons. They have been consistent and played some great footy [Rugby]."

 

Heavyweight Gear will line-up against Julien Savea, which will be yet another mouth-watering head-to-head in the battle taking place in Hamilton. Other match-ups to look out for will be Sonny-Bill Williams clashing with Ma'a Nonu, and Sevens super-stars Liam Messam v Victor Vito. 

 

"A win to the Hurricanes will probably see them seal the conference and if we win, we will pull them back towards the pack, so it is a big day for both sides," added Rennie.

 

Changes to the side see lock Michael Allardice get his first start of the season and Damian McKenzie getting the nod in the No.10 jersey, while Gear takes over the duties on the right wing.

 

Mitchell Graham, Liam Squire and Maama Vaipulu all come onto the reserve bench along with Andrew Horrell.

 

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Bryce Heem.

 

Date: Saturday, May 16

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson

Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Aki Aso

TMO: Vinny Munro