Lucky losers Chiefs get double All Blacks boost against unchanged Brumbies aiming to end semi-final hoodoo
The teams for the semi-final clash between the Chiefs and Brumbies have been named.
The Chiefs have been boosted by the return of two All Blacks for their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Brumbies in Hamilton.
Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson make timely returns after missing the defeat to the Blues last week and are both named in the starting XV.
Chiefs get All Blacks boost
Captain Jacobson was a late scratching from the team last week but has been passed fit to pack down on the side of the scrum and replaces Kaylum Boshier, who is named on the bench.
Meanwhile, All Blacks star Wallace Sititi is promoted to the run-on team and packs down at number eight, replacing Simon Parker, who left the pitch in the latter stages of the defeat to the Blues through injury. The back-row is completed by blindside flanker Samipeni Finau.
Tupou Vaa’i, who captained the Chiefs in Jacobson’s absence, starts alongside Naitoa Ah Kuoi in the second row, while there is another change in the front row as Ollie Norris comes in for Aidan Ross at loosehead.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and tighthead prop George Dyer retain their starting roles.
Tupaea is the only change to the starting backline as he replaces Gideon Wrampling at inside centre, with the latter dropping to the bench. Daniel Rona will combine with Tupaea, with Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa named on the wings and Shaun Stevenson at full-back.
On the bench, Jared Proffit fills Norris’ void and provides front-row cover with hooker Brodie McAlister and replacement tighthead Reuben O’Neill.
Josh Lord is also absent for the Chiefs, replaced by Jimmy Tupou, as Boshier completes the forward replacements. Finally, Xavier Roe and Josh Jacomb are the halfbacks on the bench in the 5-3 split completed by Wrampling.
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Brumbies stick to the winning formula
Brumbies boss Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged matchday 23 for the first time this season, with the team that beat the Hurricanes last week in Canberra retained for the clash against the Chiefs.
The Brumbies will look to end the Australian Super Rugby Pacific team’s hoodoo in New Zealand, with the last 20 Trans-Tasman clashes in Aotearoa going the way of the hosts.
The men from the ACT will look to buck two trends, having lost their last four semi-finals in the competition and their last four meetings with the Chiefs.
Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole are the starting outside backs while David Feliuai and Len Ikitau combine in the midfield. Noah Lolesio is the starting fly-half, having made a timely return from injury against the Crusaders and partners Ryan Lonergan in the halfbacks.
Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott and Rob Valetini start in the back-row as Tom Hooper and Nick Frost feature in the engine room. Allan Alaalatoa skippers the side in an all-Wallabies front row with hooker Billy Pollard and James Slipper.
The replacements are: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, and Ollie Sapsford.
Chiefs v ACT Brumbies
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kalyum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Gideon Wrampling
Chiefs: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Lington Ieli, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Date: Saturday, 14 June
Kick-off: 19:05 Local
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy and Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
