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Chiefs new blockbusting No 8 retained for Hurricanes

Wallace Sititi of Chiefs reacts during the preseason match between Kubota Spears Funabashi-Tokyo Bay and Chiefs at Prince Chichibu Rugby Ground on February 10, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)

After the impressive starting debut by Wallace Sititi against Moana Pasifika, the Chiefs have named the young No 8 to play again against the Hurricanes in this week’s blockbuster in Wellington.

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The former Blues U20 captain starred last week with 94 running metres on 17 carries, including two line breaks. His powerful ball carrying was a handful for Moana Pasifika.

As a result of Sititi’s form, captain and regular No 8 Luke Jacobson has been shifted to openside to combat the strong Hurricanes back row. One cap All Black Samipeni Finau completes the trio at blindside.

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In other changes, dynamic halfback Cortez Ratima has been named to start alongside Damian McKenzie after showing a knack for tries, equal second in the competition with six on the year.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
21
25
First try wins
100%
Home team wins
40%

In the midfield Daniel Rona has taken a hold of the 13 jersey which means All Black Anton Lienert-Brown moves to second five-eighth.

Shaun Stevenson returns to fullback after a rest week, joining dangerous pair Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa at the back.

The Chiefs are looking to continue a winning run of five straight victories over the Hurricanes extending back to 2020 and stamp their credentials as title favourites by knocking off the undefeated Canes.

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The match is lock Tupou Vaa’i’s 50th appearance for the club and the Chiefs will be hoping to celebrate in style.

Chiefs team to play Hurricanes:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Daniel Rona
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves

16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Ioane
23. Rameka Poihipi

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M
MS 10 minutes ago
Why Blair Kinghorn should be nailed on as the Lions starting 15

I can see arguments for both Kinghorn, and Keenan starting for the Lions. But I’m less convinced by some of the claims (clearly partisan) supporters are using to argue the merits of one over the other.


For example, a number of Ireland supporters have suggested Kinghorn is ‘defensively weak’. That’s patently false - or at least on the evidence of this 6N, he’s certainly no weaker there than Keenan is, who is presumably the comparative standard they’re using. Keenan was both shrugged off in contact, and beaten on the edge for pace, a number of times during this competition.


Equally, Scotland supporters arguing Kinghorn is the more capable ‘rugby player’ seem to have overlooked the (frankly sizeable) body of evidence demonstrating that Keenan is an excellent ball in hand distributor and decision maker. So that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny either.


I don’t think there’s all that much to choose between them, and either would be a strong choice. I think it would be really interesting from a pure rugby perspective to see Keenan playing a ‘Scotland-esque’ style of high tempo attacking rugby. Either coming into the line more routinely as first receiver, or being swung as a pendulum and getting the ball on the edge against a stretched defence.


That’s assuming Andy Farrell goes that route, of course. He may well just opt for his Ireland system instead, and populate it with the likes of Henshaw, Ringrose, Lowe and Keenan. I’m sure that would win the series. Quite what effect it might have on a Lions audience who were expecting something other than ‘Ireland on tour, but wearing red’ would remain to be seen.


As for the debate at FB, the only ‘eye test’ difference I feel exists is in the pace of rugby Kinghorn (Toulouse? Scotland?) tends to play. His passing/offload game feels crisper and higher tempo than Keenan’s - and as we saw in Paris, his pace and eye for a gap from deep are superior.


But again, that will only prove a decisive factor if Andy Farrell wants to play that way. If all he wants from his FB is to sit deep, field high balls, and mop up then there’s little between these two equally excellent players.

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