CHIEFS CALL UP MARTY MCKENZIE, REST MESSAM
Marty McKenzie has got the nod to replace Aaron Cruden at flyhalf for the Chiefs, beating out younger brother Damian against the Force.
Cruden was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL earlier this week, dealing a major blow to the Chiefs’ Super Rugby hopes as well as ending his own World Cup dream.
The elder McKenzie will get the first chance to replace him as the Chiefs look to pile more misery on the Force.
There are four other changes, with Bryce Heem replacing James Lowe on the wing, while up front Siate Tokolahi and Johan Bardoul all start.
Liam Messam is rested as part of the agreement with NZ Rugby, so Matt Symons will take over the captaincy for the Chiefs, who are currently just a point behind Super Rugby leaders the Hurricanes.
Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Johan Bardoul, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons (captain), 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Michael Fitzgerald, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Andrew Horrell.
Date: Friday, April 24
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT, 17:35 AEST, 09:35 SAST )
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Kane McBride, Mike Lash
TMO: Glenn Newman
Courtesy of SANZAR
Related Posts
« STORMERS LOSE VAN WYK MAJOR SELECTION CHANGES FOR HIGHLANDERS »
