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Retallick returns for Battle of the Bombays

Brodie Rettalick

There are no real surprises in the Chiefs team Colin Cooper today named to take on the Blues in Hamilton this Saturday.

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Brodie Retallick, fresh off a two-week rest, returns to captain the side. Other changes from the team that managed a last gasp win over the Jaguares have been dictated primarily due to injury.

Angus Ta’avao, who has been used primarily as a tighthead prop this season, comes onto the loosehead side of the scrum with Aidan Ross unavailable. Ryan Coxon and Sosefo Kautai will provide propping cover on the bench.

Tyler Ardron will shift from number eight to join Retallick in the tight five in place of most recent captain Michael Allardice. Luke Jacobson and Lachlan Boshier remain on the flanks with the newly signed for Waikato Taleni Seu set to start at number eight. Pita Gus Sowakula joins the matchday 23 for the first time this year, slotting in at number 20.

The backs remain unchanged from two weeks ago, with big Japanese winger Ataata Moeakiola returning from injury via the bench.

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick (c),  Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Angus Ta’avao. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ryan Coxon, Sosefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola.

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Nickers 23 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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