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Hamilton - The Chiefs have opted to rest All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown for their Super Rugby clash with the Brumbies on Saturday (kick-off 07:15 SA time).
It could be the last time Rennie leads his team into battle at FMG Stadium Waikato and perhaps also the last performance at home for a very special group of long-serving players that includes Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and James Lowe.
It will be Stephen Donald’s 100th Super Rugby competition game when he takes the field against the Brumbies on Saturday night. Having captained the Chiefs in international fixtures against Wales in 2016 and the British & Irish Lions last month, Donald has already celebrated his century milestone with the franchise.
Head coach Rennie has opted to rest hard-working All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown to refresh them for playoffs next weekend. Tim Nanai-Williams will rejoin the side next week following his commitments with the Samoan national team.
Teams:
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames.
Substitutes: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Tom Sanders, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Shaun Stevenson
Brumbies
15 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Nigel Ah Wong, 12 Andrew Smith, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Lolo Fakaosilea, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy (captain), 5 Blake Enever, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Nic Mayhew.
Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Ben Hyne, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Jordan Smiler, 22 Ryan Lonergan, 23 Tom Banks
