Karpik and Faauli to debut for the Chiefs
Mitch Karpik is ready to be let loose by the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
Sam Cane’s continued absence with an ankle injury rules for the All Blacks flanker out of tomorrow night’s season-opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
But that creates an opening for someone like Karpik, whose 2016 was cruelly cut short before it started, with the 21-year-old rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in pre-season.
Now Karpik is one of four Chiefs players set for their Super Rugby debuts, as Dave Rennie’s side bid to end their six-match losing against the Highlanders.
He is joined by exciting Taranaki midfielder Johnny Faauli in the starting XV, as well as prop Nepo Laulala, who will finally make his Chiefs debut.
Head coach Rennie described 21-year-old Faauli as a ‘mini Ma’a Nonu’, and facing Malakai Fekitoa at Forsyth Barr Stadium is one of many intriguing head-to-head battles between the respective teams, who clash in the headline match of round one.
Chiefs assistant coach Neil Barnes said co-captain Cane was getting closer to full fitness week by week, but the chance to see Karpik start was something to savour.
‘‘We’re all pretty excited about letting young Karpik loose. He’s very, very enthusiastic and he’s quite an aggressive man on the paddock,’’ Barnes said.
‘‘We’re going to lose a little bit [without Cane], but I wouldn’t think too much when you see Mitch run.’’
Waikato hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and Counties Manukau halfback Jonathan Taumateine are the other two who could make their Super Rugby debuts off the bench.