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Cape Town - All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris will play his 50th match for the Chiefs on Saturday in the Super Rugby clash with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Following a 56-20 win over the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend only four changes have been made to the starting fifteen.
Harris will be joined by Aidan Ross and tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, who gets the nod ahead of Angus Ta’avao named in jersey 18.
Lock Michael Allardice will take over the captaincy in the absence of locking companion Brodie Retallick which means Allardice will combine with Mitchell Brown in the second-row.
Allardice will captain the side in his 40th appearance for the Chiefs after inking a new deal to see him recommit with the franchise for 2020.
In the backline, only two changes have been made. Marty McKenzie will start at ten with injury ruling Jack Debreczeni out of contention.
Anton Lienert-Brown returns to start at inside centre in his 60th appearance for the Chiefs moving Alex Nankivell to the bench.
Completing the changes to the matchday 23, Taleni Seu earns his spot in jersey number 20 and is joined by Etene Nanai-Seturo who will don jersey number 23.
Head coach Colin Cooper said he will be wanting his team to continue to deliver another strong performance this weekend.
"This week we want to continue to carry the momentum and confidence we have into the Jaguares match," he said.
"The Jaguares are a very passionate team and they have a strong set piece. We need to maintain a high tempo game and ensure our defence systems continue to improve, if we get that right then we should be in a good space."
Cooper is confident Allardice will lead the team by example in Retallick’s absence.
"Michael is a good leader and provides plenty of experience to lead the team this week," he said.
"He is well respected among the guys and we trust he will do a commendable job as captain."
Finally Cooper acknowledged Harris’ achievement and congratulated him on achieving the milestone.
"Nathan has been a strong performer for us and for him to notch up 50 caps in the Gallagher Chiefs jersey is a notable achievement."
Teams:
Jaguares
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomas Lezana, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Mayco Vivas
Substitutes: 16 Gaspar Baldunciel, 17 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Pablo Matera, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23 Matias Orlando
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (captain), 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Taleni Seu, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Etene Nanai-Seturo
