Share

Anscombe given starting nod

Sydney - The Chiefs have kept their forward pack intact but rung the changes in their midfield and outside backs for Saturday night's Super Rugby semifinal.

According to the stuff.co.nz website, three personnel changes and one positional one have been made to the backline that started against the Blues in the Chiefs' last outing two weeks ago at Eden Park.

Andrew Horrell, who started at fullback against the Blues, will play at second five-eighth in place of Bundee Aki who has been relegated to the Chiefs' bench for the semifinal at Waikato Stadium against the Crusaders.

Charlie Ngatai will partner him in the midfield, starting at centre in place of the injured Tim Nanai-Williams.

Gareth Anscombe, who returned to the action from a broken foot via the bench against the Blues, takes Horrell's place at fullback and the man who started the other games in the No 15 jersey in Anscombe's absence is replaced on the left wing by regular Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

Robinson joins Aki on the bench.

The fact the Chiefs have been able to name an unchanged starting forward pack means 2.04 metre All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick made it through training on his ankle injured against the Blues and passed fit to play.

The front row has been kept the same, meaning Ben Tameifuna has kept the starting tighthead propping position despite the return from a back injury of All Black Ben Afeaki, who will be on the bench.

Also new onto the bench this week is young hooker Rhys Marshall, who has had a diet of club rugby lately for Waikato premier club rugby championship finalists Hamilton Marist.

But he won't be playing in the club final earlier on Saturday as he replaces former Samoa World Cup captain Mahonri Schwalger as the back-up rake to Hika Elliot.

Schwalger has been troubled all season by a knee injury, while Elliot has been carrying an ankle problem this week.

Teams:

Chiefs: 15  Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant- Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hikawera Elliott, 1 Toby Smith

Substitutes: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Bundee Aki, 22 Robbie Robinson

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Luke Whitelock, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tyler Bleyendaal, 22 Adam Whitelock

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1839 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1807 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 468 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 258 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE