Ngatai to start against Crusaders
The Chiefs have placed their faith in class over form, in making a couple of backline changes for their Super Rugby semifinal against the Crusaders.
The never-change-a-winningteam philosophy is an ancient one, though it would certainly not have surprised if the Chiefs stuck with the combinations which got the job done against the Stormers in the quarterfinal in Cape Town.
But for the blockbusting clash in Christchurch on Saturday night the return to the starting lineup of Charlie Ngatai and Tim NanaiWilliams shows how much importance the Chiefs are placing on those who have been there for them in the big games before. Both those internationals have been present for title-winning campaigns with the franchise.
Stephen Donald was impressive in the quarterfinal and has been around the block to not be overawed, but he drops to the bench, with Ngatai to start at second five-eighth after overcoming an ankle injury which kept him out of the trip to South Africa.
Assistant coach Neil Barnes said it was a nice position to be in with the selection quandary at second-five. ‘‘If you want to win finals and semifinals, you need to be picking from the very best, and having options like we’ve got at the moment, it’s been awesome.’’
It will be just the fourth Chiefs match for Ngatai this season, with the one-test All Black having returned from his near year-long battle with concussion against the Reds in New Plymouth on May 6, but then being sidelined again after another head knock at training. He came back against the Hurricanes in Wellington on June 9, got through 80 minutes for New Zealand Maori against the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua the following week, then injured the ankle in the final-round game against the Brumbies in Hamilton on July 15.
The other change to the team is on the right wing, where NanaiWilliams is promoted from the
Crusaders:
David Havili, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, George Bridge.
Damian McKenzie, Tim NanaiWilliams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (coc), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane (co-c), Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mitchell Brown, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Kane Hames. Liam Polwart, Aidan Ross, Atu Moli, Dominic Bird, Lachlan Boshier, Finlay Christie, Stephen Donald, Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves: Chiefs: Reserves:
reserves to start in place of Solomon Alaimalo.
With the task of marking up against the storming Seta Tamanivalu, the 1.96m, 99kg Alaimalo may have been looked at as an ideal combatant, and has been impressive of late, but it’s the 1.82m, 90kg Nanai-Williams who will feature, in just his seventh appearance of the season, with shoulder and ankle problems having stalled him.
‘‘We’re blessed with some really really good footballers there, but when you’ve got someone that’s got 80-something caps to his name and a good history in big games and how he plays it just gave him the nod,’’ Barnes said.
Meanwhile, Scott Robertson has refused to make changes.
By sticking with the 23 men who combined to dust-up the Highlanders 17-0 in the wet, slippery conditions during the quarterfinal at AMI Stadium last weekend, Robertson has signalled the Crusaders believe they are capable of executing a variety of game plans during the suddendeath fixture.
‘‘It’s good to name the same 23 with no injuries, and a little bit of rhythm, with all the experienced players in the group that have been here a few times,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘It was the easiest selection meeting we have had.’’