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Chiefs make multiple changes as they look to return to winning ways

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Looking to bounce back after their surprising defeat to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday, the Chiefs have made seven changes to their starting side to play the Fijian Drua.

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While they may have lost a thriller across the ditch in Round Three, the Chiefs are still second on the Super Rugby Pacific on the back of opening-two round wins over the Crusaders and Brumbies.

But with three teams locked on 10 competition points after a few rounds, and a further three teams just behind them on nine, the Chiefs will be desperate to return to winning ways at home.

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All Black Josh Lord is set to make a timely return to the Chiefs’ matchday squad, for the first time this season, following injuries to Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i.

Of the changes in the forward pack, Ruben O’Neill has been promoted to the starting side while a new-look lock duo of Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Jimmy Tupou will pack down in the second row.

All Blacks Samipeni Finau and captain Luke Jacobson have both retained their spots in the backrow, but Simon Parker makes way for the always-reliable Kaylum Boshier.

Super Rugby veteran Anton Lienert-Brown returns to the starting side at outside centre, while Shaun Stevenson’s move from wing to fullback has opened the door for Daniel Rona to start in the No. 14 jumper.

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“We are looking forward to hosting the Fijian Drua and the massive challenge they present,” coach Clayton McMillan said in a statement.

“Their willingness to play with flair and enterprise has been impressive and built off the back of a vastly improved set-piece.

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“It was disappointing to lose against a tough Reds team, but it put a spotlight on areas of our game we need to improve, and that has been a big focus for us this week.

“Josh Lord’s return is timely given an injury to Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i on an All Blacks load management week.

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“Tom Florence also gets his first opportunity this year after impressing over the pre-season and in training.”

The Chiefs take on the Fijian Drua at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato at 7.30 pm (NZT) on Saturday evening. Earlier, the Chiefs Manawa will take on Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki.

Chiefs team to take on Fijian Drua

  1. Aidan Ross
  2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
  3. Reuben O’Neill
  4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
  5. Jimmy Tupou
  6. Samipeni Finau
  7. Kaylum Boshier
  8. Luke Jacobson (c)
  9. Cortez Ratima
  10. Damian McKenzie
  11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
  12. Rameka Poihipi
  13. Anton Lienert-Brown
  14. Daniel Rona
  15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves

  1. Bradley Slater
  2. Ollie Norris
  3. George Dyer
  4. Josh Lord
  5. Tom Florence
  6. Xavier Roe
  7. Josh Ioane
  8. Quinn Tupaea
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H
Hellhound 39 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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