Publications
Partners
Christchurch - Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named his strongest possible team to do battle with the Crusaders in Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch.
There are just two changes to the run-on side that defeated the Stormers 17-11 in a spirited Cape Town quarter-final contest last weekend.
Resilient midfielder Charlie Ngatai returns from an ankle injury to start at inside centre, with veteran utility back Stephen Donald vacating the number 12 jersey to bolster the bench.
Experienced Samoan international Tim Nanai-Williams is promoted from the reserves to start on the right wing. This means that Solomon Alaimalo drops out of the match day squad.
Teams:
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett,18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 George Bridge
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown , 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch,7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Mitchell Brown, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames
Substitutes: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Shaun Stevenson
