Chiefs coach banks on Weber, McKenzie combo
Hamilton: The Chiefs return home tonight to take on current Super Rugby Aotearoa competition leaders and defending champions the Crusaders.
Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong twenty-three to challenge the Crusaders.
Loose forward Lachlan Boshier will return from injury for his first start of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season in the number seven jersey. He will shift younger brother Kaylum Boshier to the bench to cover in jersey twenty in the only change to the Gallagher Chiefs starting forward pack.
Chiefs co-captain Brad Weber will combine with All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie in the halves.
Hautapu midfielder Alex Nankivell is promoted to start at twelve after Quinn Tupaea was side-lined with a knee injury. Rangataua fullback Chase Tiatia will start in the fifteen jersey to complete an exciting backline.
McMillan said the Chiefs need to deliver a clinical performance.
“The Crusaders have proven year after year they are a formidable side that must be respected.
“They do the simple things extremely well and can suffocate you through their set piece.
“But they have been challenged in areas of their game over recent weeks, and the competition has highlighted how small the margins are between winning and losing.
“We ourselves have been far from perfect but I feel like we have grown our game considerably over the last month and can challenge the defending champions head on. “We were embarrassed with aspects of our previous game against them, that has not been forgotten and we are determined to perform much better in front of our passionate supporters.”
The match kicks off at 7.05pm
Line-up
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6. Mitchell Brown,
7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Chase Tiatia,
Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Pita Gus Sowakula,
20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Sean Wainui.
- Super Rugby Aotearoa