Chiefs vs Lions: Four head-to-head matches to look forward to
BOTH the Chiefs and Lions are missing several key players, which makes tomorrow’s round 10 Super Rugby match between them in Hamilton a tough one to call. They’ve also struggled for form and consistency so it could come down to a few individuals to swing the tie their team’s way. Here rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen picks the best head-to-head matches to look forward to. Anton Lienert-Brown v Franco Naude The key inside centre channel will always be crucial and this week young Lions rookie, 23-year-old loan player from the Bulls, Naude, goes up against the experienced and exceptionally good All Black, Lienert-Brown. The Chiefs man is second only to Israel Folau in the competition for number
of offloads made and he is also the player who ranks favourable in the defenders beaten category. Naude, a powerful and confident centre, will have his work cut out; his defence needing to stand out in his overall performance. He is also going to have to strike a good relationship early on with new No 10 Gianni Lombard on his inside. Brad Weber v Ross Cronje
The experienced Weber, who played one Test for the All Blacks in 2015, will be boosted by being handed the captaincy of the team in the absence of the injured Brodie Retallick and he will be keen for a big outing. A quality No 9, he will be out to harass the just-returned-from-injury Warren Whiteley and Kwagga Smith and also new Lions No 10, Lombard. It will be up to Cronje, himself only recently back from injury and coming in from playing off the bench last week, to
keep Weber in check, but also to direct the Lions’ play. Cronje’s kicking game and slick passing will be crucial to the Lions’ goals tomorrow. Lachlan Boshier v Kwagga Smith
The 24-year-old Chiefs man is certainly not a household name in South Africa but he has been a staple in the Waikato-based team for a while now. He is a player with a rich history, having played for the Junior All Blacks in 2014, and at 1.94m tall and weighing in at 102kg will be a big test for the Lions’ little tough guy, Smith. The former Sevens star was his team’s best
player before he got injured in round five and he will be keen to make up for lost time. His work-rate, tenacity and pace make him a player with X-factor and his return to the Lions could be a major boost at a time when they are in desperate need for something positive. Angus Ta’avao v Carlu Sadie
The Lions have always prided themselves on quality set-piece ball and in recent years they have been one of the stronger teams when it’s come to scrumming and lineout time. Young Sadie has been a bit of a revelation since joining from the Cape – coming in for the experienced Ruan Dreyer – and he will face another massive test anchoring the scrum this week. Ta’avao, a giant of a man at 124kg and 1.94m tall, has tons of experience and has even represented the All Blacks so Sadie has it all to do to ensure the Lions scrum is stable and can, hopefully, dominate over the 80 minutes.