Geldenhuys gets Chiefs' No.3 jersey
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has made several changes to his starting XV to challenge the Waratahs in Wollongong on Friday.
Bay of Plenty prop Ross Geldenhuys will run out for his first start in the Chiefs jersey, replacing Atu Moli who has been ruled out due to illness. Geldenhuys will be joined by weekly start Aidan Ross and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho who moves from the bench into the starting jersey.
The locking duo of Michael Allardice and Tyler Ardron will complete a strong tight five. Lachlan Boshier returns from his break to start in the No.6 jersey in place of Luke Jacobson.
Chiefs captain Sam Cane remains at No.7 alongside the powerful Pita Gus Sowakula at No.8.
An experienced halves pairing of Brad Weber and Aaron Cruden will respectively start at No.9 and No.10.
In a competitive tussle for midfield starting spots, All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will move to inside centre, making way for Tumua Manu who will return from injury to start at outside centre.
The back three will see Sean Wainui return to the left wing, Shaun Stevenson starts on the right wing and Solomon Alaimalo complete a dynamic backline.
In the reserves, Counties Manukau hooker Donald Maka will be set to make his Super Rugby debut. Rookie Ryan Coxon moves into jersey No.17. Alex Nankivell will be the only remaining change to the reserves slotting into jersey No.23.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Donald Maka, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Lisati Milo Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Date: Friday, March 6
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Kick-off: 19.15 (21.15 NZ time; 08.15 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, James Quinn
TMO: Ian Smith
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