Chiefs ring changes for Sunwolves
The Chiefs have made seven changes to their starting XV for tomorrow night’s Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves in Hamilton as they look to bounce back from their big loss to the Brumbies last weekend.
As telegraphed by coach Colin Cooper at the start of the week, three players are sitting out the match to serve as one of their All Blacks stand-down games – prop Nepo Laulala, hooker Nathan Harris and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown. Added to that, loose forward Tyler Ardron has been ruled out with concussion, suffered in last weekend’s 54-17 hammering in Canberra.
That’s forced a fair reshuffle, though there is a trio returning from injury in halfback Brad Weber, who suffered a concussion in the opening round loss against the Highlanders, with fellow backs Sean Wainui (wrist) and Alex Nankivell (ankle) now ready for their first action of the season.
Wainui – who wasn’t contracted at the start of last season but went on to be a revelation in a more unaccustomed spot on the wing – slots straight back onto the right flank, with Ataata Moeakiola dropping to the bench and Bailyn Sullivan out of the 23.
Assistant coach Tabai Matson said such was Wainui’s importance to the group, there was no hesitation in getting him straight back into the run-on side.
‘‘We think his injection this week is really critical for us to bounce back,’’ he said.
‘‘We haven’t been as physical as we could be, and one of the things Wainui brings is his real physicality, as well as his workrate and communication.
‘‘So [it’s] really good getting a guy who’s played a number of Super campaigns and [has] a bit of experience, into the backfield.’’
Orbyn Leger, who filled in at No 10 in the opening match of the season and was unused on the bench last weekend – has been selected to take Lienert-Brown’s spot at second five-eighth. Nankivell – who Matson noted was probably the pick of the midfielders through the preseason – comes into the reserves, being eased back after one full training week under his belt.
‘‘Putting him into the starting lineup might have been a bridge too far him,’’ Matson said. ‘‘So getting some time off the bench this week, I think is really critical for his campaign.’’
The other change to the backline sees Weber return to start, with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi dropping to the bench in place of Jonathan Taumateine.
In the pack, with Ardron out, Taleni Seu gets promoted to start at the back of the scrum, with Jesse Parete into the reserves. There is a further change in the loose trio, with Mitchell Karpik also promoted to start at openside, which sends Lachlan Boshier to the bench, which Matson said was about spreading minutes in a key position, particularly with a couple of New Zealand derbies coming up.
In the front row, prop Angus Ta’avao is back from his All Blacks rest while with hooker Liam Polwart still dealing with a concussion, Samisoni Taukei’aho will start and Bradley Slater – son of former Taranaki lock/loose forward Andy Slater – is named for a debut off the bench.
At a glance
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Orbyn Leger, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Karpik, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Brodie Retallick (c), Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Tevita Mafileo, Sefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola.