Gatland drops star flyhalf to the bench
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has made a raft of changes to his matchday squad for their Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Six clash against the Highlanders in Hamilton.
In the forwards, Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater and Nepo Laulala pack down a formidable front row. With lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi sidelined with concussion, Tupou Vaa’i shifts into the starting XV combining with Mitchell Brown. The impressive loose forward combination of Lachlan Boshier and Chiefs Captain Sam Cane remains the status quo alongside Pita Gus Sowakula completing the forward pack at No.8.
A reshuffled backline will see scrumhalf Brad Weber combine with flyhalf eighth Kaleb Trask, with an experienced halves combination in Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Aaron Cruden named on the bench.
Alex Nankivell earns his first start of the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition at inside centre. Nankivell will be joined by Anton Lienert-Brown in the midfield who returns from concussion.
An electrifying back three consists of Solomon Alaimalo on the left wing, Sean Wainui on the right wing and Damian McKenzie slotting into fullback.
In the reserves, an abundance of experience is featured. Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill and Ross Geldenhuys round off a powerful replacement front row. Experienced Adam Thomson and Mitchell Karpik provide loose forward cover. Rookie Quinn Tupaea completes the line-up in jersey twenty-three.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Brad Weber, 8Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Quinn Tupaea.
Date: Sunday, July 19
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 15.35 (03.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Paul Williams, James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill
