Chiefs name team to take on Rebels

May 19 • General News, Super Rugby • 1996 Views • Comments Off on Chiefs name team to take on Rebels

A determined Gallagher Chiefs team are out to right the wrongs from their last performance when they take on the Melbourne Rebels this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato. Supporters can expect an impassioned, physical display of quality rugby as these trans-Tasman rivals go head-to-head in the Gallagher Chiefs final round robin home game on New Zealand soil.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has made just two changes to the starting fifteen which recorded a frustrating loss against the Highlanders in the team’s last outing. Hooker Nathan Harris earns his first start of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season, with Hika Elliot moving to the reserves. Anton Lienert-Brown gets a chance to impress at second five-eighth after Charlie Ngatai was ruled out with concussion.

There are three changes to the reserves with Siegfried Fisi’ihoi coming onto the bench in jersey 18, along with Tom Sanders who returns from injury to provide loose forward cover. Experienced campaigner Andrew Horrell bolsters the backline stocks wearing jersey 22.

The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the Melbourne Rebels is:

1. Mitchell Graham (21)
2. Nathan Harris (16)
3. Hiroshi Yamashita (5)
4. Dominic Bird (3)
5. Brodie Retallick (65)
6. Taleni Seu (10)
7. Sam Cane (75) co-captain
8. Michael Leitch (22)
9. Brad Weber (34)
10. Aaron Cruden (66) co-captain
11. James Lowe (29)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (16)
13. Seta Tamanivalu (16)
14. Toni Pulu (5)
15. Damian McKenzie (26)
RESERVES:

16. Hika Elliot (96)
17. Kane Hames (2)
18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (3)
19. Michael Allardice (15)
20. Tom Sanders (6)
21. Kayne Hammington (4)
22. Andrew Horrell (51)
23. Sam Vaka (1)

( ) = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets

Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Atu Moli, Glen Fisiiahi, Charlie Ngatai, Sam McNicol and Latu Vaeno.

The Gallagher Chiefs take on the Melbourne Rebels at 7:35pm this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato in their final round robin game in the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season. There’s a free kids pack with every children’s ticket and plenty of exciting entertainment to accompany the fantastic footy on display. Tickets are available from Stirling Sports, 0800 4 CHIEFS, ticketdirect.co.nz or from 9am at Gate 1 of FMG Stadium Waikato on Game Day.