Chiefs name All Black-laden side for last four clash with Brumbies
The Chiefs have named a powerful lineup littered with All Blacks for their highly-anticipated Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Test star Tupou Vaa’i returns to the second-row to partner with veteran Brodie Retallick with Aidan Ross, George Dyer and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho completing the tight five.
Sam Cane is one of the co-captains and leads the team from the side of the scrum. He is joined by the robust Samipeni Finau and versatile Luke Jacobson in the back-row.
Dangerous backline
The second co-captain Brad Weber links up with red-hot Damian McKenzie in a dangerous half-back pairing whilst veteran Anton Leinert-Brown and Alex Nankivell are the midfield combination.
Dangerous wings Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo are joined by prolific full-back Shaun Stevenson in an exciting back three.
On the bench, Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norries and John Ryan are the front-row replacements with Naitoa Ah Kuoi set to bring energy with Pita Gus Sowakula the last of the back-up forwards.
Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane and Rameka Poihipi are backline replacements who complete the matchday 23.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillian is looking forward to the challenge against the Brumbies and expects a good clash.
“The team are relishing the opportunity to play a home semi-final in front of our loyal supporters and whānau. We feel their presence and the team are hugely motivated to put in a performance they can be proud of,” he said.
“The Brumbies will arrive with a lot of confidence following their victory over the Hurricanes. Whilst their customary strengths of lineout maul and contestable kicks were evident, they also showed a willingness to run from deeper in their own half and challenge with the ball in hand, so they are a well-rounded side who can hurt you if allow them to get their game going.
“We have named an experienced side who are fresh, fit and hungry to do a job. Should be a hell of a game!”
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc) 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 John Ryan, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Rameka Poihipi
Date: Saturday, June 17
Venue: FMG Stadium
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: TBC
READ MORE: Seven players to watch in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals including Rieko Ioane