Cruden's surprise role for Super Rugby Aotearoa opener
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has named his side to take on the Highlanders for their Super Rugby Aotearoa season opener in Dunedin on Saturday.
Both teams are set to make history, competing in the first-ever match of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
A powerful front row will be bolstered with the return of All Black tighthead prop Nepo Laulala. Laulala will be joined by loosehead prop Aidan Ross and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.
The locking duo of Mitchell Brown and Tupou Vaa’i will complete a strong tight five. In the loose forwards All Black Luke Jacobson returns in jersey No.6 and Lachlan Boshier on the openside. The powerful Pita Gus Sowakula will pack down the scrum at No.8.
In the backs, scrumhalf Brad Weber will captain the side in the absence of Chiefs and All Blacks Captain Sam Cane.
In a surprise move, flyhalf Kaleb Trask will start at No.10 with the experienced Aaron Cruden providing cover on the bench.
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All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will start at inside centre, with rookie Quinn Tupaea named at outside centre. A familiar back three will start with Sean Wainui on the left wing, Shaun Stevenson on the right and crafty full back Damian McKenzie completing an exciting backline.
The Chiefs bench provides a balanced mix of experience with hooker Bradley Slater joined by Ryan Coxon and veteran Ross Geldenhuys. Rookies Naitoa Ah Kuoi will provide locking cover and Dylan Nel loose forward cover in jersey No.20. Joining Cruden in an exciting line-up of backline cover will be experienced halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Brad Weber (captain), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Mitchell Brown, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: James Doleman
