At a glance
Dance of the desperates in the Capital
It’s been almost three years since Aidan Ross last set foot on Wellington’s Sky Stadium, and the memories aren’t nice.
On that fateful Friday the 13th of April, 2018, the Chiefs prop left the ground early on a stretcher, sucking gas, after suffering an horrific broken ankle during the 25-13 defeat to the Hurricanes.
It was the first major injury of Ross’ career, and came in friendly fire fashion after team-mate Angus Ta’avao fell on top of him.
Since then, neck and calf niggles prevented him from playing Chiefs fixtures in the capital the last two seasons, while he even missed Bay of Plenty’s Mitre 10 Cup game there last year, having needed knee surgery after round one.
But finally, Ross is set to be reacquainted with the stadium once more, having been named to start alongside Ta’avao for tonight’s Super Rugby Aotearoa clash, in a planet-aligning situation the Chiefs must hope is some sort of good omen for them in their quest to put an end to their 11-game losing run.
However, to avoid that record dirty dozen defeats, Ross knows full well the Chiefs pack have to take a huge step up after what he labelled an ‘‘embarrassing’’ performance against the Crusaders in the 39-17 defeat last weekend.
After missing the opening game
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia WalkerLeawere, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Tevita Mafileo, Liam Mitchell, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen.
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Kaleb Trask, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Mitchell Brown, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Chase Tiatia.
Ben O’Keeffe