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Luke Jacobson and Pita Gus Sowakula add firepower to Chiefs for Hurricanes battle

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have overhauled their starting line-up for this Sunday’s clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington, making eight personnel changes to the run-on side.

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In the forward pack, Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao return to start in the front row after both celebrating milestones last Saturday against the Crusaders off the bench. Samisoni Taukei’aho will keep his starting spot at hooker.

Changes in the second rows see Tupou Vaa’i shift from a stint at blindside flanker into lock with Naitoa Ah Kuoi getting his first start of the season in jersey No 5. The three starting loose forwards consist of Kaylum Boshier at blindside, co-captain Sam Cane at openside flanker and the returning Pita Gus Sowakula at number 8.

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In the backline, Josh Ioane returns to start at first five-eighth, pairing up with co-captain Brad Weber at halfback. In the midfield, All Black Anton Lienert-Brown makes his return at centre after missing the prior two fixtures. Changes to the back three include Alex Nankivell shifting from the midfield to start on the right wing and Emoni Narawa taking over from Kaleb Trask at fullback.

In the replacements, Atunaisa Moli will wear jersey number 17 while Sione Mafileo has shifted to the bench after starting in four of the Chiefs’ five games to date. Laghlan McWhannell will cover the locking duo and All Black Luke Jacobson makes a long-awaited return from injury to cover the loose forwards, having only featured for the Chiefs in their opening game of the season. Bryn Gatland shifts to the bench in jersey number 22 and is joined by utility back Chase Tiatia to round out the matchday twenty-three.

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is expecting a tightly contested battle on Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve had a really constructive review after Saturday’s match against the Crusaders and are looking forward to showing improvements this weekend,” he said.

“We know we need to be more ruthless in certain areas and focus on nailing our roles if we are to be successful against a dangerous Hurricanes side. They will be looking to bounce back after their match against Moana Pasifika, especially in front of their home crowd so we are expecting a tightly contested battle.”

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Sunday’s match will kick off at 3:35pm NZT from Sky Stadium in Wellington.

Chiefs: Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Josh Ioane, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Kaylum Boshier, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Atunaisa Moli, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Chase Tiatia.

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B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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