‘Back to basics’ as Chiefs name team to face Crusaders

Hamilton - The Chiefs have named their team ahead of Saturday’s Super Rugby encounter against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made a number of changes to the starting XV that lost 30-15 to the Sunwolves last weekend.

All Blacks Nathan Harris and Nepo Laulala will re-join to start in the front row alongside Aidan Ross.

The return of Harris and Laulala means Samisoni Taukei’aho and Angus Ta’avao move to the reserves. A new locking combination of captain Brodie Retallick and Tyler Ardron will take the field with Michael Allardice being ruled out after sustaining an injury in training. Lachlan Boshier gets the nod as the starting No 7 ahead of Mitchell Karpik who has been named on the bench.

In the backline, inside centre Anton Lienert-Brown returns refreshed following his week off to combine in the midfield with centre Tumua Manu shifting Alex Nankivell to the bench. Fullback Solomon Alaimalo returns from injury to earn his first start of the season.

Flyhalf Jack Debreczeni will be hoping to impress if given the opportunity to debut off the bench.

“For us this week, we have gone back to basics and have focused on what we can control as a team,” Cooper told the Chiefs official website.

“We welcome the return of a couple of our team who have been out with injury or on leave. These guys are ready to go and eager to play and bring great energy into the team which we will need to combat an impressive Crusaders team.”

Saturday’s clash in Christchurch is scheduled for 06:15 (SA time).

Teams:

Crusaders

15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty (captain), 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ere Enari, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Harry Allan, 18 George Bower, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 David Havili

Chiefs

15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick (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 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Alex Nankivell