McKenzie to start in No. 10 jersey

The Chiefs have arrived in Tokyo for the very first time to take on the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium this Saturday.

Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has made several key changes, the most notable being Damian McKenzie starting in the No. 10 jersey.

Tiaan Falcon, who started the Chiefs’ first three games at first five, is out of the 23 through injury. McKenzie’s spot at fullback has been taken by his brother Marty, who joins the starting side for the first time this season.

“This is only game 4 in what is a hugely demanding competition so we’re focused on managing our players – particularly Liam [Messam] and Tiaan who are both going extremely well but are carrying some niggles. Liam’s leadership is critical to our group and we want to keep him fresh and hungry with some big derby matches in the coming weeks,” said Cooper.

In total there are five changes to the starting fifteen who fought back to claim a gutsy 41-28 win over the Bulls last Friday. Canadian recruit Tyler Ardron comes in to the locking department to partner Brodie Retallick in place of Mitchell Brown, who tore his ACL last weekend. It will be Ardron’s first start for the team after an impressive cameo against the Blues in Round Three. Taleni Seu returns at number eight after a rest last weekend.

In the backline, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi gets his first start at halfback, and wing Toni Pulu returns from injury to make his first appearance on the right wing.

Waikato youngster Bailyn Sullivan is in line to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench in the number 23 jersey, and hard working flanker Mitchell Karpik has been named as loose forward cover after a strong outing with the Chiefs’ development side.

CHIEFS

1. Aidan Ross, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Tyler Ardron, 6. Lachlan Boshier, 7. Sam Cane (C), 8. Taleni Seu, 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Johnny Fa’auli, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Marty McKenzie.
Reserves: 16. Liam Polwart, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Michael Allardice, 20. Mitchell Karpik, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Sean Wainui, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.