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Chiefs team to play Crusaders in round one of Super Rugby Pacific

21 Feb 2023

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The Gallagher Chiefs have named an experienced line-up boasting more than 1000 caps for the club against the Crusaders in the opening round of DHL Super Rugby Pacific.

The starting forward pack have an average 65 Chiefs caps each while the backs average 72 caps in the side to run out against the Super Rugby Champions in Christchurch on Friday.

The Gallagher Chiefs are looking forward to the venture south following their acclaimed victory at Orangetheory Stadium last season, with five of their 10 wins in Super Rugby coming away from home.

“First of all, our hearts and thoughts are with all families who have lost loved ones in the cyclone and have suffered such devastation. It puts a game of sport into perspective for us all,” said Gallagher Chiefs coach, Clayton McMillan.

“With their record, the Crusaders deserve nothing but respect, but we believe in our ability and capacity to perform at their home fortress.

“It has been a relatively short build-up but we are raring to go. The team have worked extremely hard and we have managed to come through the pre-season relatively injury-free, barring a few frustrating niggles.

“In a World Cup year there is a lot at stake for individual players, but right now our focus is 100 per cent on being at our collective best week-in and week-out, and if we do that, winning a Super Rugby title is a realistic goal for us.”

The team for Friday’s game boasts nine All Blacks, mostly in the pack, where they are led by All Blacks captain Sam Cane, the indomitable Brodie Retallick and their omnipresent hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.

There will be interest in tighthead John Ryan, who has played nearly 200 games for Munster and 24 caps for Ireland. He arrived this week for the season as a replacement for All Black Angus Ta’avao who is recovering from neck surgery, and the Irishman has been immediately pressed into action on the bench.

Luke Jacobson will start at No.8 for his 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs.

Co-Captain and Gallagher Chiefs centurion Brad Weber will guide the backline with the outstanding Damian McKenzie preferred at first-five inside fellow international Anton Lienert-Brown, who will move to within one game of becoming the latest Gallagher Chief to reach 100 games for the club.

There’s an exciting look to the outside backs, led by the skilful Shaun Stevenson at fullback.

Chiefs team to play Crusaders (Chiefs caps):

1. Aidan Ross (61)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (63)
3. George Dyer (8)
4. Brodie Retallick (115)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (31)
6. Pita Gus Sowakula (53)
7. Sam Cane (Co-Captain, 137)
8. Luke Jacobson (49)
9. Brad Weber (Co-Captain, 110)
10. Damian McKenzie (95)
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo (29)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (98)
13. Alex Nankivell (58)
14. Solomon Alaimalo (48)
15. Shaun Stevenson (67)

Reserves:

16. Bradley Slater (39)
17. Ollie Norris (28)
18. John Ryan (Debut)
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (34)
20. Samipeni Finau (18)
21. Cortez Ratima (9)
22. Josh Ioane (9)
23. Rameka Poihipi (14)

Players not considered because of injury: Angus Ta’avao (season), Atu Moli, Josh Lord, Quinn Tupaea, Emoni Narawa, Ngatungane Punivai.

-Press Release/Chiefs

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 2 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 2 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 2 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 2 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 2 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 2 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍