Two-Test All Black Josh Lord returns to the starting line-up for the Chiefs’ clash against the Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals.
Lord was out with a concussion but joins veteran Brodie Retallick in the second-row for the play-off clash while hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and props John Ryan and Aidan Ross complete the tight five.
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane co-captains the team from the side of the scrum alongside talent Samipeni Finau and experienced Luke Jacobson in the loose trio.
Scrum-half Brad Weber is the other co-captain and he joins the competition points leader Damian McKenzie in the half-back pairing.
Outside of the half-backs, Rameka Poihipi and Anton Lienert-Brown combine in the midfield whilst prolific full-back Shaun Stevenson starts alongside Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo in the back three.
On the bench, Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris and George Dyer are the front-row options with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Pita Gus Sowakula as the other forward replacements.
Scrum-half Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane and Daniel Rona make up the backline replacements.
Desperate for a win
Head coach Clayton McMillian admits the Reds deserved to beat the Chiefs in the regular season but is looking forward to getting one back against the Queenslanders.
“We look forward to hosting the Reds and playing in front of our passionate supporters in what should be a cracking game at FMG Stadium Waikato,” McMillian said.
“They were deserved winners in our last encounter where their tactical kicking game, ability to build high phase counts and greater desperation proved to be the difference.
“Notwithstanding the challenge the Reds bring, we have focused on ourselves this week and named a largely settled side.
“Having returned from Perth and navigating a shorter training week, we have removed a lot of clutter, understanding our players are at their best when they are clear on their roles and can play with freedom.”
The matchday 23
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 John Ryan, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 George Dyer, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Daniel Rona
Date: Saturday, June 10
Venue: FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick-off: 16:35 local (05:35 BST, 04:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Matt Kellahan (Australia)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
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