Gallagher Chiefs team named to play the BNZ Crusaders

Feb 25 • General News, Super Rugby • 1273 Views • Comments Off on Gallagher Chiefs team named to play the BNZ Crusaders

The bags are packed, bodies primed for battle and there’s an excitable tension in the air as the Gallagher Chiefs depart for their opening match of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season against the BNZ Crusaders in Christchurch.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named a powerful line-up to take on their southern foes at 7:35pm this Saturday at AMI Stadium.

The 23-man team features five Super Rugby debutants with Hiroshi Yamashita, Taleni Seu, Tom Sanders and Shaun Stevenson named to start and Latu Vaeno hoping to earn his first cap off the bench.

In the forwards, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall and Japan prop Hiroshi Yamashita will pack down in the front row with Michael Allardice and All Black Brodie Retallick at lock. The loose forward trio consists of Taleni Seu, All Black Sam Cane and Canterbury number 8 Tom Sanders.

In the backs, experienced All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow gets the start, with Chiefs co-captain Aaron Cruden making his long awaited return to Investec Super Rugby at first five-eighth. Taranaki teammates Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivalu combine in the midfield with James Lowe and Shaun Stevenson on the wings. Damian McKenzie will start at fullback.

Coach Dave Rennie said: “It’s been a long build-up and we’re all excited that the competitions finally about to start. Our 23 is a blend of youth and experience with several players making their Super Rugby debuts. We’re really happy with the hard work and development that’s gone into the past three months. History tells us that Chiefs and Crusaders clashes are physical and high paced encounters and I’m sure this weekend will be no different.”

The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the BNZ Crusaders is:

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Rhys Marshall
3. Hiroshi Yamashita
4. Michael Allardice
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Taleni Seu
7. Sam Cane (C)
8. Tom Sanders
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden (C)
11. James Lowe
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Seta Tamanivalu
14. Shaun Stevenson
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Nathan Harris
17. Mitchell Graham
18. Siate Tokolahi
19. Maama Vaipulu
20. Johan Bardoul
21. Brad Weber
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Latu Vaeno

Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Andrew Horrell, Hika Elliot, Toni Pulu, Augustine Pulu, Dominic Bird, Sam McNicol and Glen Fisiiahi.Not considered for selection:

The Gallagher Chiefs take on the Lions at FMG Stadium Waikato next Saturday the 5th of March in their first home game of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season. There’s an earlier kick-off time of 5:15pm and all kids get a free Chiefs Kids Pack, making it the ideal family outing. Tickets are available from ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 CHIEFS. Prices start from as little as $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Courtesy of the Chiefs