Chiefs team named to play the Hurricanes in Wellington

Apr 21 • General News, Super Rugby • 1397 Views • Comments Off on Chiefs team named to play the Hurricanes in Wellington

Rejuvenated and raring to go following a well-deserved break for bye week, the Gallagher Chiefs head south to take on a dangerous Hurricanes side this Saturday at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

With just four points separating the New Zealand Conference leaders from last year’s Investec Super Rugby finalists the Hurricanes, supporters can expect a fast-paced, physical battle between these long-standing rivals as they hunt for victory this Saturday.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has named a powerful lineup to front against the Hurricanes. Mitchell Graham, Rhys Marshall and Atu Moli will pack down in the front row, with Michael Allardice and Brodie Retallick partnering at lock. Tom Sanders, co-captain Sam Cane and Michael Leitch form a formidable loose-forward trio to complete the forward pack.

In the backs, the combination of halfback Brad Weber and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden starts for the fourth consecutive game. Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivalu team up in the mid-field with Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu and Damian McKenzie rounding out the backline.

There’s an exciting addition to the reserves with Andrew Horrell set to make his 50th appearance for the Gallagher Chiefs following a lengthy injury break. Horrell will don the Chiefs jersey for the first time in 2016 in his milestone game after being sidelined for the first half of the season with a groin injury.

The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the Hurricanes is:

1. Mitchell Graham (18)
2. Rhys Marshall (29)
3. Atu Moli (4)
4. Michael Allardice (13)
5. Brodie Retallick (62)
6. Tom Sanders (5)
7. Sam Cane (72) co-captain
8. Michael Leitch (19)
9. Brad Weber (31)
10. Aaron Cruden (63) co-captain
11. Sam McNicol (4)
12. Charlie Ngatai (38)
13. Seta Tamanivalu (13)
14. Toni Pulu (2)
15. Damian McKenzie (23)

RESERVES:

16. Hika Elliot (93)
17. Siate Tokolahi (24)
18. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi (3)
19. Taleni Seu (7)
20. Maama Vaipulu (17)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (61)
22. Andrew Horrell (49)
23. Glen Fisiiahi (3)

( ) = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets

Not considered for selection: Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sam Vaka, Dominic Bird, James Lowe and Tevita Koloamatangi.

Courtesy of The Chiefs