Chiefs Super Rugby head coach Colin Cooper has named his team to play the Jaguares Rotorua on Friday and opted to rest All Black Brodie Retallick for the clash.
The Chiefs had their bye last week but prior to that they enjoyed a strong win against the Reds in Brisbane.
This match will be the Jaguares’ first ever visit to Chiefs Country, after playing the Chiefs only once in Argentina in 2016. That game went down to the wire, a late Brad Weber try securing the win.
Head Coach Colin Cooper has had some additional time in the bye week to look at the Jaguares.
“This will be a really tough game – from a win against the Brumbies to beating the Blues in Auckland is a great feat, so they are showing their worth. We certainly have been analysing them and getting ready for the attack that they are going to bring. They’re strong in their set piece and defensively we will be tested.”
Cooper has kept the same front row which performed really well against the Reds. In the second row, Cooper has decided to rest Brodie Retallick, bringing in Michael Allardice who put in a strong performance against the Hurricanes.
“We want Brodie to be firing on all cylinders for the Stormers game in South Africa. He gives so much as a leader off the field, and on the field he brings everything, and we need to keep that alive in him.”
The most capped Chief, Liam Messam, will start in the number 8 jersey. He’s from Rotorua and so spoke about how special it will be to play in front of his home support, “I am really looking forward to bringing the boys to my home town. It is always special coming back to Rotorua and we love the local support we get there”.
In the backline, Toni Pulu comes back from injury on to the wing, and Alex Nankivell comes in at second five. Johnny Faauli has earned a rest after starting every game so far this season. On the bench there is a potential debut for Levi Aumua back from injury, and for Bay of Plenty loose forward Jesse Parete in as injury cover.
Cooper hopes to see some big support down in Rotorua.
“We’re really looking forward to a supportive home crowd in Rotorua to help us as we will need to be at our best against the Jaguares”.
Mitch Graham; Nepo Laulala; Regan Verney; Tiaan Falcon; Kane Hames; Mitch Karpik were all unavailable for selection.
Chiefs
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe , 2. Liam Polwart , 3. Angus Ta’avao , 4. Michael Allardice , 5. Tyler Ardron , 6. Lachlan Boshier / Luke Jacobson , 7. Sam Cane (cc) , 8. Liam Messam , 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi , 10. Damian McKenzie , 11. Solomon Alaimalo , 12. Alex Nankivell , 13. Anton Lienert-Brown , 14. Toni Pulu , 15. Charlie Ngatai (cc)
Replacements : 16. Nathan Harris , 17. Sam Prattley , 18. Jeff Thwaites , 19. Luke Jacobson / Jesse Parete * , 20. Pita Gus Sowakula , 21. Brad Weber , 22. Marty McKenzie , 23. Levi Aumua *
