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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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Nickers 34 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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