Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Surprise positional switch for All Black Damian McKenzie in Chiefs' Super Rugby Aotearoa warm-up match

Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Utility back Damian McKenzie has been named to start in the Chiefs’ final warm-up of the year – but not in his usual fullback position.

ADVERTISEMENT

This Saturday, the Chiefs will square off against the Crusaders and Blues, playing 40 minutes against both sides. McKenzie has been tasked with running the cutter from first five in the absence of young playmaker Kaleb Trask.

McKenzie last wore the No 10 jersey in the fourth round of the 2019 Super Rugby competition. Then-coach Colin Cooper instilled McKenzie as his favoured playmaker but a run of poor results saw the utility revert back to his favoured fullback role.

Video Spacer

Jamie Roberts and Ryan Wilson pick their Isuzu unsung heroes of the week.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 2:29
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 2:29
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Jamie Roberts and Ryan Wilson pick their Isuzu unsung heroes of the week.

    Trask, Bryn Gatland and Rivez Reihana were the three men named as first five options when the Chiefs revealed their squad late last year. Gatland will play at No 10 in the first half of Saturday’s match while Reihana will slot in at fullback. Trask, meanwhile, appears to be nursing an injury and won’t feature in the match.

    The game will mark the first appearance of the Chiefs’ All Blacks contingent for 2021.

    Captain Sam Cane will run out in the No 7 jersey against the Crusaders while Brad Weber, McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown will combine in the final ‘half’ of the three-half match.

    Former All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris is also set to play his first game of professional rugby since 2019, having missed the entirety of 2020 due to a fractured ankle suffered during the previous season’s Mitre 10 Cup. Harris will feature on the bench in both halves.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The Chiefs were set to name Cane’s co-captain earlier in the week but the plans were dashed due to the sudden re-emergence of COVID-19 in the community.

    The Waikato-based side, who were unable to pick up a win in last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, have an extra week to prepare for this year’s competition thanks to having the bye in the opening round.

    They’ll kick their year off in two weeks’ time, against the Highlanders in Hamilton. Saturday’s match kicks off at 12:05pm NZT and will be broadcast live in New Zealand on SKY Sports.

    Chiefs vs Crusaders

    1. Aidan Ross
    2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
    3. Sione Mafileo
    4. Tupou Vaa’i
    5. Stan van den Hoven
    6. Simon Parker
    7. Sam Cane
    8. Kaylum Boshier
    9. Xavier Roe
    10. Bryn Gatland
    11. Jonah Lowe
    12. Alex Nankivell
    13. Sean Wainui
    14. Shaun Stevenson
    15. Rivez Reihana

    Reserves:

    Nathan Harris
    Sekope Lopeti Moli
    Ollie Norris
    Joe Apikotoa
    Viliami Taulani
    Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
    Quinn Tupaea
    Gideon Wrampling
    Lisati Milo-Harris

    Chiefs vs Blues

    1. Reuben O’Neill
    2. Bradley Slater
    3. Joshua Iosefa -Scott
    4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
    5. Josh Lord
    6. Samipeni Finau
    7. Mitchell Karpik
    8. Luke Jacobson
    9. Brad Weber
    10. Damian McKenzie
    11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
    12. Rameka Poihipi
    13. Anton Lienert-Brown
    14. Bailyn Sullivan
    15. Chase Tiatia

    Reserves:

    Sekope Lopeti-Moli
    Nathan Harris
    Ollie Norris
    Joe Apikotoa
    Viliami Taulani
    Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
    Quinn Tupaea
    Gideon Wrampling
    Lisati Milo-Harris

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    LIVE

    Hong Kong SVNS | Day 3

    Hong Kong SVNS | Day 1

    Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

    When the referee is put in an impossible position? | Whistle Watch

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Boks Office | Episode 38 | Six Nations Round 5 Review

    Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    A
    Alisha Grace 1 hour ago
    ‘They played for each other’: Jamie Joseph puts trust in his team ahead of Force clash

    The Team That Reclaimed My Stolen Cryptocurrency/ Hack Savvy Tech


    As an Australian student with a deep passion for studying law in the UK, I have always been committed to pursuing higher education and advancing my career. My dream was to attend one of the prestigious universities in the UK, and like many students, I was searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. However, what began as an exciting opportunity soon turned into a nightmare.I came across an advertisement on Facebook for a scholarship opportunity, which promised to cover all my tuition fees and living expenses. The offer seemed too good to be true, but as a young student eager to pursue my dreams, I didn’t think twice. The scholarship application process appeared legitimate, and I was soon in contact with someone who claimed to represent a reputable organization. I was asked to pay an upfront fee as part of the application process, which I believed would be reimbursed once I received the scholarship. Excited about the possibility of studying in the UK, I didn't hesitate to pay the required amount AUD 15,000.The money I paid wasn’t just from my own savings; my parents had to borrow the money to help me fulfill my dream. They trusted that I was making the right decision, and they supported me in this endeavor, hoping that it would set me on a path to a successful future. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, I received no updates, and all communication from the supposed scholarship provider suddenly stopped. When I tried to reach out, the contact information I had was no longer working, and the website I had applied through was taken down. Realizing that I had fallen victim to a scam, I was devastated. The money, which my parents had borrowed with great effort and sacrifice, was gone, and my hopes for studying abroad seemed shattered.Feeling helpless, I turned to various recovery services, hoping that someone could help me get my money back. Most services offered little more than false promises and vague advice, leaving me feeling more frustrated than ever. That’s when I discovered HACK SAVVY TECH. After extensive research and reading positive reviews from other scam victims, I decided to give them a try. HACK SAVVY TECH acted swiftly, gathering all the necessary information, tracking the scammer's digital footprint, and initiating the recovery process. To my relief, after several weeks, they successfully recovered the full amount of AUD 15,000. I couldn’t believe that what seemed like an impossible task had become a reality. Now, I wholeheartedly recommend HACK SAVVY TECH to fellow students and anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. They provided me with both the expertise and the support I needed, restoring not only my finances but also my faith in the possibility of recovering from such a terrible experience. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, I encourage you to trust HACK SAVVY TECH they truly know how to help.


    mail: contactus@hacksavvytechnology.com

    Website: https://hacksavvytechrecovery.com

    Whatsapp : +79998295038

    0 Go to comments
    A
    Alisha Grace 2 hours ago
    Fin Smith: Northampton Saints face battle to keep England star

    As an Australian student with a deep passion for studying law in the UK, I have always been committed to pursuing higher education and advancing my career. My dream was to attend one of the prestigious universities in the UK, and like many students, I was searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. However, what began as an exciting opportunity soon turned into a nightmare.I came across an advertisement on Facebook for a scholarship opportunity, which promised to cover all my tuition fees and living expenses. The offer seemed too good to be true, but as a young student eager to pursue my dreams, I didn’t think twice. The scholarship application process appeared legitimate, and I was soon in contact with someone who claimed to represent a reputable organization. I was asked to pay an upfront fee as part of the application process, which I believed would be reimbursed once I received the scholarship. Excited about the possibility of studying in the UK, I didn't hesitate to pay the required amount AUD 15,000.The money I paid wasn’t just from my own savings; my parents had to borrow the money to help me fulfill my dream. They trusted that I was making the right decision, and they supported me in this endeavor, hoping that it would set me on a path to a successful future. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, I received no updates, and all communication from the supposed scholarship provider suddenly stopped. When I tried to reach out, the contact information I had was no longer working, and the website I had applied through was taken down. Realizing that I had fallen victim to a scam, I was devastated. The money, which my parents had borrowed with great effort and sacrifice, was gone, and my hopes for studying abroad seemed shattered.Feeling helpless, I turned to various recovery services, hoping that someone could help me get my money back. Most services offered little more than false promises and vague advice, leaving me feeling more frustrated than ever. That’s when I discovered HACK SAVVY TECH. After extensive research and reading positive reviews from other scam victims, I decided to give them a try. HACK SAVVY TECH acted swiftly, gathering all the necessary information, tracking the scammer's digital footprint, and initiating the recovery process. To my relief, after several weeks, they successfully recovered the full amount of AUD 15,000. I couldn’t believe that what seemed like an impossible task had become a reality. Now, I wholeheartedly recommend HACK SAVVY TECH to fellow students and anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. They provided me with both the expertise and the support I needed, restoring not only my finances but also my faith in the possibility of recovering from such a terrible experience. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, I encourage you to trust HACK SAVVY TECH they truly know how to help.


    mail: contactus@hacksavvytechnology.com

    Website: https://hacksavvytechrecovery.com

    Whatsapp : +79998295038

    10 Go to comments
    A
    Armelle Boudreaux 9 hours ago
    Ollie Chessum back after Six Nations injury scare: All Premiership teams this weekend

    Exploring new cultures, meeting people, and experiencing the world has been a lifelong dream of mine. Last year, I decided to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. I spent months researching destinations, creating itineraries, and saving up $8000 for the adventure. When I came across a travel agency offering an unbeatable package deal, I thought I had struck gold. The website looked professional, the reviews seemed genuine, and the agent I spoke to was incredibly persuasive. I paid the full amount upfront, excited to finally make my dream trip a reality. However, as the departure date approached, I noticed red flags. My emails to the agency went unanswered, and when I tried calling, the number was disconnected. Panic set in as I realized I had been scammed. My dream trip was slipping away, and I had lost $8000.Devastated, I turned to Tech Cyber Force Recovery for help. I had heard about their success in tracing online fraud and recovering funds for victims like me. I provided them with all the details: the fake website, the transaction records, and the emails from the scammer. Tech Cyber Force Recovery team was incredibly understanding and assured me they would do everything possible to help. Using their expertise in digital forensics, they traced the scammer’s digital footprint and identified the offshore account to which my money had been transferred. They worked tirelessly with international authorities to freeze the account and recover the funds. Within a few weeks, they successfully returned the $8000 to me. The relief was indescribable. Not only did I get my money back, but I also learned valuable lessons about verifying online services and protecting myself from scams. Thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, I was able to rebook my trip through a legitimate agency and finally embark on my dream adventure. They didn’t just recover my funds; they restored my faith in justice and gave me the chance to create unforgettable memories. Reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery Team for assistance TELEGRAM (At)techcyberforc EMAIL Tech cybers force recovery (At)cyber services(dot)com

    0 Go to comments
    TRENDING
    TRENDING ‘Hats off to the Kiwis’: Australia fall to rivals at Hong Kong Sevens ‘Hats off to the Kiwis’: Australia fall to rivals at Hong Kong Sevens
    Search