Publications
Partners
Hamilton - The Chiefs have named their team form Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Sunwolves at Stadium Waikato (kick-off 09:35 SA time).
The Chiefs welcome the return of winger Sean Wainui and midfield cover Alex Nankivell, who will make their first appearance of the 2019 Super Rugby competition.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho will have his first start in the Chiefs jersey in a new front row combination of Aidan Ross, Taukei’aho and Angus Ta’avao.
Legendary lock Brodie Retallick and Michael Allardice will complete the tight five.
Loose forward Mitchell Brown will don the No 6 jersey and Mitchell Karpik earns his first start at No 7 for the season with Lachlan Boshier named on the bench.
Taleni Seu moves into the starting XV after Tyler Ardron was ruled out with concussion.
Taranaki’s Jesse Parete will provide cover on the bench.
Brad Weber returns to start at scrumhalf, with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi moving to the bench.
Unchanged at No 10, Damian McKenzie will steer the backline for the Chiefs.
Impressive midfielder Orbyn Leger will start at his preferred inside centre position combining with centre Tumua Manu in the midfield.
The back three will remain unchanged with the exception of returning wing Wainui who has been named on the right wing ahead of Ataata Moeakiola who has been named in jersey No 23.
On the bench, Taranaki hooker Bradley Slater will be looking to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
Slater will be joined by Tasman midfielder Nankivell who will don the No 22 jersey.
Prop duo Tevita Mafielo and Sosefo Kautai maintain their positions in the 23 as cover.
Assistant coach Tabai Matson told the Chiefs' official website this weekend will be no light task for the Chiefs.
“This weekend we need to pull together what we have been working on at training and transfer that into the game. The Sunwolves are a good side and we are not taking them lightly. They were close to a win last week and will be hurting just as we are. We just need to do the basics right and the rest will fall into place,” said Matson.
Matson finished acknowledging the team want to provide Retallick with a more fitting celebration for his achievement.
“Last week we didn’t deliver for Brodie. As a team we want to be able to put in a performance we are proud of and provide Brodie with a fitting acknowledgement for this significant milestone in front of a home crowd.”
Teams:
Chiefs
15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Orbyn Leger, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Taleni Seu, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Michael Allardice, 4 Brodie Retallick (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Substitutes: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Ataata Moeakiola
Sunwolves
15 Jason Emery, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Shane Gates, 12 Michael Little, 11 Jamie Henry, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Uwe Helu, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Tom Rowe, 20 James Moore, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Phil Burleigh, 23 Rikiya Matsuda
