Chiefs name seven debutants
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The Chiefs have selected three debutants in the starting line-up, including New Zealand Under-20 flyhalf Damian McKenzie for their clash with the Blues in Albany.
Cheifs coach Dave Rennie admits that there were a number of difficult decisions to be due to the high level of competition for places in the team.
“There has been some difficult decisions with a lot of competition for places,” said Rennie.
"We’re rapt with the side we have picked but realise it will be a big challenge at North Harbour."
In the front row Hika Elliot makes his return to Super Rugby and is joined by props Pauliasi Manu and Ben Tameifuna.
Pre-season captain Matt Symons will continue to lead the side from lock and will be joined by Michael Fitzgerald who is in his fourth season with the Chiefs.
There are two debutants In the loose forwards in Johan Bardoul and No.8 Maama Vaipulu who will play alongside All Black Sam Cane who will rack up his 51st game for the Chiefs.
Brad Weber will start the match at scrumhalf and is joined by U20 star McKenzie, who has got the nod at flyhalf.
In the midfield Maori All Blacks captain Charlie Ngatai will join Sonny Bill Williams with James Lowe, Tim Nanai-Williams and Tom Marshall making up the back three.
The reserves feature four players who are expected to make their Chiefs debut. Prop Siate Tokolahi, lock Michael Allardice, flyhalf Marty McKenzie and wing Bryce Heem all have the potential to take the field for their first Chiefs cap.
15 Tom Marshall, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Johan Bardoul, 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacments: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Bryce Heem.
Date: Saturday, February 14
Venue: QBE Stadium, Albany
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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