Chiefs rest All black star for Brumbies clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has tweaked his team for their Super Rugby Round 18 clash against the Brumbies at the FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
There’s only one change to the forward pack from the team that beat the Highlanders, with All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris returning to the fold after the birth of his first child.
In the backline, Anton Lienert-Brown is rested as part of his All Black commitments with Sean Wainui moving to his natural position of centre.
Exciting wing Shaun Stevenson gets the chance to impress with a start on the wing.
Cooper has gone with continuity with Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie again linking up in the No.9 and no.10 jerseys and Solomon Alaimalo continues at fullback, after a highly impressive showing last weekend.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Charlie Ngatai (co-captain), 11 Shaun Stevenson, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Johnny Fa’auli.
Date: Saturday, July 7
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 AEST; 05.15 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
