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One change for the Chiefs as they prepare for a quarter-final showdown with the Jaguares
The Chiefs have opted for consistency in the selection of their team to take on the Jaguares in their quarter-final match-up.
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Coach Colin Cooper has made just one change to the 23 with Tumua Manu returning to the 13 jersey in place of Alex Nankivell.
Nankivell has been bracketed on the bench after leaving the field early in the Chiefs’ previous match with the Rebels.
Whilst Nankivell has been the go-to midfield partner for All Black Anton Lienert-Brown in recent weeks, Manu has clocked up some considerable game time in his debut Super Rugby season. In the Chiefs ranks, Manu is third only to Lienert-Brown and Canadian international Tyler Ardron in terms of minutes played this year.
The last time these two sides clashed was in Round 7 of the regular season – also in Buenos Aires. The Chiefs scored a try with only minutes remaining to steal a win from the Jaguares.
The Chiefs were without both Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick in the earlier fixture but have welcomed both players back to the fold in recent weeks.
Cooper was confident that travelling from New Zealand to Argentina won’t hamper his team’s performance.
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“We have had a good week over here, there is plenty of energy in the team especially from our leaders. We know the Jaguares are a quality side. They have performed well, and we have the utmost respect for them,” Cooper said.
As a team we need to draw on the confidence we have gained from our past couple of games. We are not strangers to quarter-finals rugby, we just need to stay focused and deliver a performance our fans and whanau are proud of,” said Cooper.
Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sean Wainui, Jack Debrezceni, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (c), Lachlan Boshier, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris, Atu Moli. Reserves: Alex Nankivell, Marty McKenzie, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Mitchell Jacobson, Jesse Parete, Nepo Laulala, Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho,
