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Ex-Crusader debuts, All Black star returns for the Chiefs

76 days ago

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

All Black hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho will make his much-awaited return to rugby from the bench this weekend when the Chiefs host the Brumbies.

The 2022 breakout international star will play his first professional game since suffering an achilles injury against the Hurricanes in last year’s semi-final.

Elsewhere in the team, ex-Crusader and ex-Force winger Manasa Mataele will make his club debut for the Chiefs starting on the wing.

Form winger Leroy Carter, who has taken Super Rugby Pacific by storm over the opening fortnight, has been put on a rest week.

All Blacks Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea and Samipeni Finau return to the starting side after being eased into the season.

Tupaea returns to the No.12 jersey after coming off the bench in his 50th cap and grabbing a brace against the Crusaders.

The Chiefs have opted to keep Damian McKenzie at fullback after a strong 2-0 start with the All Black playmaker in the 15 jersey.

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“We’re all really pleased for Samisoni. He’s worked hard to get back around the target date we had set and it’s exciting to have him available again,” head coach Clayton McMillan said.

“Manasa gets his chance after working hard through the pre-season and it’s a great opportunity for him to have his first run in front of our fans at FMG Stadium Waikato.

“It’s going to be a huge day for the club, with the Manawa playing before us and the Rugby and Rhythms Festival happening around it all.”

Chiefs team to play the Brumbies:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Brodie McAlister
3. George Dyer
4. Josh Lord
5. Tupou Vaa’i (c)
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Simon Parker
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Josh Jacomb
11. Manasa Mataele (club debut)
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Damian McKenzie

Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Ollie Norris
18. Sione Ahio
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Kaylum Boshier
21. Xavier Roe
22. Daniel Rona
23. Gideon Wrampling

Comments

1 Comment

TokoRFC 75 days ago

I have a feeling Samisoni will remind us all just how good he is this year. His injury was a huge blow to the Chiefs and the AB’s, go well mate.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 11 hours 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 11 hours 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 11 hours 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 12 hours 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 12 hours 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 12 hours 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 12 hours 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 12 hours 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 12 hours ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours ago

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

👍