Chiefs to rest big names

THE Chiefs’ hopes of snatching Super Rugby quarterfinal hosting rights off the Hurricanes have waned after they named a team well short of full strength.

The teams meet in the final round of the regular season in Hamilton tomorrow and will almost certainly square off again in the first round of the playoffs.

To leapfrog the Hurricanes, the Chiefs must win by at least 22 points tomorrow and snare a bonus point.

Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Anton LienertBrown, Charlie Ngatai (co capt), Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Jesse Parete, Mitchell Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick, Angus Taavao, Liam Polwart, Sam Prattley. Res: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Jeff Thwaites, Michael Allardice, Liam Messam, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Jonathan Faauli.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Nehe MilnerSkudder, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Sam Henwood, Brad Shields (capt), Sam Lousi, Michael Fatialofa, Jeff ToomagaAllen, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith. Res: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Ben May, Gareth Evans, Reed Prinsep, Finlay Christie, Ihaia West, Julian Savea.