Brad Weber leads Chiefs in Super Rugby Aotearoa opener

David Skippers

Brad Weber of the Chiefs runs with the ball during the Round 18 Super Rugby match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Waikato Chiefs at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Friday, June 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland has named his side to take on the Highlanders for their Super Rugby Aotearoa season opener in Dunedin on Saturday.

In the backs, scrum-half Brad Weber will captain the side in the absence of Chiefs and All Blacks captain Sam Cane. In a surprise move, Kaleb Trask will start at fly-half with the experienced Aaron Cruden providing cover on the bench.

All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will start at inside centre, with rookie Quinn Tupaea named at 13. A familiar back three will start with Sean Wainui on the left wing, Shaun Stevenson on the right and crafty full-back Damian McKenzie completing an exciting backline.

In the forwards, loose forward Lachlan Boshier will be celebrating his 50th game in the Chiefs jersey and Taranaki lock Tupou Vaa’i will start on debut.

A powerful front-row will be bolstered with the return of All Black tighthead prop Nepo Laulala. Laulala will be joined by loosehead prop Aidan Ross and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho. The locking duo of Mitchell Brown and Vaa’i will complete a strong tight five.

In the back-row, All Black Luke Jacobson returns in jersey number six and Boshier on the openside. The powerful Pita Gus Sowakula will pack down the scrum at number eight.

The Chiefs bench provides a balanced mix of experience with hooker Bradley Slater joined by Ryan Coxon and veteran Ross Geldenhuys. Rookies Naitoa Ah Kuoi will provide second-row back-up and Dylan Nel loose forward cover in jersey number twenty. Joining Cruden in an exciting line-up of backline cover will be experienced scrum-half Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Gatland said the team were eager to kick the competition off.

“It will be a competitive hit out on Saturday, and one the fans, players and coaches alike are all looking forward to. It has been a long time between drinks, and everyone is excited for a great game. The squad have been training hard over the past four weeks and are eager to get stuck into their work.”

Gatland congratulated Boshier and Vaa’i on their upcoming achievements.

“It is a special milestone to tick off for Lachlan. He is a hard worker and has an exciting future ahead of him,” he said.

“Tupou has quickly adapted to the Gallagher Chiefs environment and we look forward to seeing him take the field on Saturday.”

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Brad Weber (c), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Mitchell Brown, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Etene Nanai-Seturo

Date: Saturday, June 13
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:05 (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Ben O’Keeffe
TMO: James Doleman

 

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