Weber to lead way for Chiefs At a glance

Brad Weber will captain a rejigged Chiefs side in their Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves in Tokyo tomorrow before sitting out next weekend’s clash against the Brumbies.

With regular skipper Sam Cane one of a trio of big names rested from the round-three trip to Japan, Weber has been promoted to lead in what is his first start of the season, having been playing a dynamic role from the bench behind Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi in the opening two rounds.

The 29-year-old, who last year earned an All Blacks recall such was his fine form, also assumed the captaincy at times last year when co-captains Cane and Brodie Retallick were sidelined, but it’s not something that will change his approach for this weekend.

‘‘I’m just keen to play,’’ he said from Japan yesterday. ‘‘Being captain doesn’t spur me on any more, it’s about doing my job amongst the group. I want to play well.

We’ve still got some leaders around me that can help run the ship.’’

Coach Warren Gatland had already opted to leave Cane and Anton LienertBrown at home, along with former international Aaron Cruden, with the plan from the outset to give other players in the squad game-time in this next fortnight ahead of the team’s first bye.

He confirmed Weber will sit out next week as part of the task to manage All Blacks’ minutes through the campaign.

‘‘It’s really important to create a lot of competition in the squad, and it’s easier to do that when you’ve won your first two games,’’ Gatland said.

To that end, there are eight personnel changes, and one positional switch, to the starting XV from last weekend’s 25-15 win over the Crusaders in Hamilton.

The forward pack features a swap of hookers – Bradley Slater

Brad Weber

Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Solomon Alaimalo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (c), Dylan Nel, Lachlan Boshier, Adam Thomson, Michael Allardice, Tyler Ardron, Atu Moli, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ross Geldenhuys, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Brown, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Orbyn Leger.

getting his first Super start and Samisoni Taukei’aho going to the bench – with the other tweak in the tight five being the return of lock Michael Allardice, who has been sidelined by a groin injury during the opening weeks. There is a new-look loose trio, with standout flanker Lachlan Boshier switching back to his more accustomed spot of openside, as Mitchell Karpik joins Cane on the sidelines. That opens the way for Otago’s Dylan Nel to make his Super Rugby debut at the back of the scrum, while veteran former All Black Adam Thomson will start at blindside, in a remarkable return to this level.

Thomson, who turns 38 next month, last played Super Rugby with the Rebels in 2016, but linked up with the Chiefs as injury cover in pre-season, and his return to the park will come two years on from his discharge from 57 days in hospital in Tokyo, due to a horrifying spinal infection.

In the backline, first fiveeighth Kaleb Trask is also reintroduced. He started in round one against the Blues, before Cruden took the reins. Alex Nankivell takes the spot of Lienert-Brown at second-five, while Shaun Stevenson is on the right wing in place Sean Wainui.

The bench sees prop Reuben O’Neill finally set for a debut, after missing last year with an achilles injury.

First-five Tiaan Falcon and midfielder Orbyn Leger are also both set for their first action of the year.

‘‘Being captain doesn’t spur me on any more, it’s about doing my job amongst the group.’’