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Chiefs forced to field flankers in the second row as Weber takes the captain's armband

Brad Weber will captain the Chiefs in Brodie Retallick's absence. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

TEAM NAMING: The Chiefs are no strangers to injuries, but the locking situation in the Waikato is getting a bit dire.

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Already without All Black Damian McKenzie, who is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL against the Blues last weekend, the Chiefs will now have to do without captain Brodie Reallick in their game against the Lions on Friday night.

A relatively minor hand injury means Retallick will join fellow locks Michael Allardice, Riki Hoeata and Laghlan McWhannell on the sidelines.

Instead, loose forwards Tyler Ardron and Mitchell Brown will cover the second row – both players no strangers to locking a Chiefs scrum.

Retallick’s absence means Brad Weber is given the captain’s armband for the Friday night match.

“It is a huge honour to be named as captain for this Friday,” Weber said of his appointment.

“I am excited for the opportunity and am thankful to have a great bunch of guys around me which will make my job easier.”

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In other changes to the side, Jack Debreczeni – himself only just returning from injury – will take McKenzie’s place at fullback while Liam Polwart starts at hooker in place of Nathan Harris who gets a rest for the week.

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who has only played a minor role in the campaign to date, also gets a rest – possibly as dictated by the All Blacks rest policy for Super Rugby players.

In the midfield, Alex Nankivell has been given a start after some impressive form this season. Tumua Manu, who’s grown with every match played, drops to the bench.

Ataata Moeakiola, who scored an excellent try in last weekend’s match after replacing McKenzie, is rewarded with a start due to the absence of Solomon Alaimalo. Shaun Stevenson, who has been absent for a number of weeks, will return via the bench.

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Chiefs: Jack Debreczeni, Sean Wainui, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ataata Moeakioli, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber,Taleni Seu, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Tyler Ardron, Nepo Laulala, Liam Polwart, Angus Ta’avao. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Jonathan Taumatein, Tumua Manu, Shaun Stevenson.

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TI 2 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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