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McKenzie double threat for Chiefs

Brothers Marty and Damian McKenzie will both play a starting role for the Chiefs as they take on the Highlanders at Invercargill on Saturday.

 

Marty McKenzie comes into the starting XV to take his brothers role at flyhalf, while Damian McKenzie moves to fullback for the injured Tom Marshall who copped a knee injury against the Bulls last weekend.

 

In the forwards, Maama Vaipulu will replace Liam Messam who suffered a left shoulder injury during the Bulls match in Rotorua and is  undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of the injury.  

 

In Messam's absence Sam Cane will captain the side.

 

More changes in the forwards see prop Pauliasi Manu returning to the starting XV.  Lock Michael Fitzgerald comes back into the side and will partner up with veteran Ross Filipo who gets another run this week.

 

In the only other change to the team, Mitchell Crosswell comes into the reserves.

 

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Maama Vaipulu, 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Brian Alainu'uese, 20 Mitchell Crosswell, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tim Nanai-Williams.

 

Date: Saturday, May 30

Venue: Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Nick Briant

Assistant referees: Mike Lash, Mike Lash

TMO: Glenn Newman

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