Aaron Cruden back at 10 for the Chiefs

David Skippers

All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden has been named in the Chiefs starting line-up for their Super Rugby Aotearoa encounter with the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.

Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has named a determined matchday 23 to face an in-form Blues team.

Lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi will move from the bench into the starting XV in jersey number five to combine with Tupou Vaa’i, who made his debut in last weekend’s narrow loss to the Highlanders, in the only changes to the Chiefs pack.

All Blacks scrum-half Brad Weber will again captain the side in the absence of Chiefs and All Blacks skipper Sam Cane. Weber will combine with the experienced Cruden at 10 in the only change from last week’s starting backline, with Bay of Plenty’s Kaleb Trask, who started at fly-half against the Highlanders, providing cover on the bench.

Utility back Shaun Stevenson will run out on the right wing for his 50th game in the Chiefs jersey.

The Chiefs reinforcements of prop Reuben O’Neill, loose forward veteran Adam Thomson, rookie Lisati Milo-Harris and electrifying back Solomon Alaimalo will complete an exciting twenty-three.

Gatland said the team were eager to return to FMG Stadium Waikato and deliver a much improved performance for their fans.

“Last week against the Highlanders we weren’t clinical enough and they capitalised on those opportunities we gave them. This week we need to be sharper and deliver a more dominant performance,” he said.

“The Blues have some great playmakers and will be a dangerous team. They performed well last week against the Hurricanes and will be hoping to back it up again.

“The guys are excited to run out to the field in front of what is expected to be a near capacity crowd. It is now up to us to deliver for them and show our thanks for their support.”

Gatland congratulated Stevenson on his achievement.

“Shaun is a talented player, who has great attacking ability,” he said. “He has already demonstrated that earlier this year on a number of occasions and we hope this weekend he can celebrate in a similar fashion.”

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber (c), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo

Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:05 (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Paul Williams
TMO: James Doleman

 

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