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Chiefs field an All Blacks front row for Hurricanes rematch

Atu Moli of the Chiefs. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

TEAM NAMING: Atu Moli and Nathan Harris will return for the Chiefs this weekend in their rematch with the Hurricanes.

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The Chiefs will still have to fend without Brodie Retallick, however, who is on Al Blacks leave after also sitting out last week’s match with the Lions.

Moli hasn’t started a match for the Chiefs since February of last year, being sidelined due to a haematoma to his quad muscle that developed complications.

Although he has yet to play a test match for New Zealand, Moli represented the All Blacks against a French XV in 2017. He was recently called up for the All Blacks foundation day.

Moli will start at loosehead prop for the Chiefs, with Angus Ta’avao shifting to his preferred tighthead side of the scrum. Harris completes the front row.

Michael Allardice also returns from injury and resumes the captaincy from Brad Weber in Retallick’s absence. His return sees Tyler Ardron move to the back of the scrum with Taleni Seu dropping to the reserves.

Tumua Manu comes in at centre in the only change to the backs. Alex Nankivell takes a spot on the bench, alongside All Blacks Stephen Donald and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

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“This weekend we need to be more disciplined and alert if we are to be competitive,” coach Colin Cooper said of the the upcoming match. “We had a good tussle against the Hurricanes at home last month, we know this weekend will be no different. We need to ensure our defence systems are strong and we are quick to our feet. If we can combine that with patience and control on attack, we should be in a good space.”

The Chiefs hosted the Hurricanes in round 4 of the competition. The match ended in a stalemate at 23-all.

Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ataata Moeakiola, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Tyler Ardron, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris, Atu Moli. Reserves: Liam Polwart, Tevita Mafileo, Sosefo Kautai, Taleni Seu, Jesse Parete, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Stephen Donald, Alex Nankivell.

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Nickers 15 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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