Chiefs make surprise flyhalf selection for Crusaders clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has revealed his team to face the Crusaders in Fiji on Saturday.
Cooper has made only one change to a versatile forward pack this weekend. Hooker Nathan Harris earns a week off and Samisoni Taukei’aho will start at hooker with Bradley Slater joining the bench as cover in jersey No.16.
In the backline, scrumhalf Brad Weber will start in his 70th appearance for the Chiefs. Flyhalf Jack Debreczeni will start at No.10 moving Marty McKenzie to the bench in jersey No.22.
Anton Lienert-Brown returns from All Blacks leave to start at inside-centre combining with Alex Nankivell in the midfield, with Tumua Manu as cover on the bench in jersey No.23. In the final change to the backline, Sean Wainui will start on the left wing in absence of Etene Nanai-Seturo who is with the New Zealand Under-20’s.
On the reserves bench, tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao returns to the fold named in No.18. Following a successful debut, Daymon Leasuasu retains his spot in the 23 and is joined by loose forward Mitchell Jacobson.
Once again, loosehead prop Aidan Ross and scrumhalf Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi retain their positions in the reserves.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Atu Moli.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Daymon Leasuasu, 20 Mitchell Jacobson, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Tumua Manu.
Date: Saturday, June 1
Venue: ANZ National Stadium, Suva
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
