Chiefs v Brumbies
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It looks like the Chiefs will have an easy game on Saturday with this Brumbies line-up:
1 Nic Mayhew, 2 Robbie Abel, 3 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 4 Tom Staniforth, 5 Blake Enever, 6 Scott Fardy (C), 7 Jarrad Butler, 8 Lolo Fakaosilea
9 Tomas Cubelli, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 11 James Dargaville, 12 Andrew Smith, 13 Nigel Ah Wong, 14 Henry Speight, 15 Jordan Jackson-HopeReplacements
16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Ben Hyne, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Jordan Smiler, 22 Ryan Lonergan, 23 Tom BanksBrumbies ring the changes for Chiefs challenge
The Plus500 Brumbies have made twelve changes to the team that was beaten by the Reds in Brisbane last week for their final game of the regular season against the Chiefs in Hamilton. Only wing Henry Speight, fly-half Wharenui Hawera and flanker Scott Fardy remain from the side that went down by a point at Suncorp Stadium, as Head Coach Stephen Larkham takes the opportunity to rest some players ahead of the Quarter Final clash on 21 July. A new-look front row sees Nic Mayhew and Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin propping either side of hooker Robbie Abel, whilst Tom Staniforth and Blake Enever combine in the second row. Fardy will captain the side from flanker in a back-row that also includes Jarrad Butler, who had a stint at Centre in the Reds fixture, and a return to the starting XV for robust no.8 Lolo Fakaosilea. Behind the scrum there is a first start of the season for Argentinean scrum-half Tomas Cubelli, who will link up with Kiwi fly-half Hawera, making a return to his home-town having been born in Hamilton. Andrew Smith and Nigel Ah Wong will form a potentially strong midfield, with Speight joined in the back-three by the returning James Dargaville and Jordan Jackson-Hope, the latter starting the match at full-back. Larkham has opted for six forwards amongst the replacements with Wallaby international prop Scott Sio named along with Brumby record-cap holder Ben Alexander and veteran hooker Josh Mann-Rea as the front row changes. There’s plenty of mobility in the shape of Ben Hyne, Tom Cusack and Jordan Smiler with scrum-half Ryan Lonergan offered a first opportunity of the season and Tom Banks rounding out the bench. The Brumbies fixture with the Chiefs will take place on Saturday afternoon with a 5.15pm kick-off local time, 3.15pm kick-off AEST. -
haha i sort of thought "oh yea, last game of a failed season, give the kids a run"
And then i read about resting for a semi final and remembered about the clusterfuck of a "competition" we are back in to.
If the saffers make a go of this Europe thing and leave, we are well and truly fucked.
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Chiefs:
1 Kane Hames (22)
2 Nathan Harris (28)
3 Nepo Laulala (12)
4 Michael Allardice (21)
5 Mitchell Brown (15)
6 Liam Messam (160)
7 Lachlan Boshier (16)
8 Michael Leitch (31)
9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (80)
10 Aaron Cruden (86) - Captain
11 James Lowe (50)
12 Charlie Ngatai (41)
13 Alex Nankivell (3)
14 Solomon Alaimalo (7)
15 Damian McKenzie (47)RESERVES:
16 Liam Polwart (3)
17 Aidan Ross (3)
18 Atu Moli (25)
19 Tom Sanders (20)
20 Mitchell Karpik (6)
21 Finlay Christie (7)
22 Stephen Donald (101)
23 Shaun Stevenson (22)() = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets
Unavailable for selection: Brad Weber, Mitchell Graham, Glen Fisiiahi, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Taleni Seu and Dominic Bird.
The significance of this Saturday’s contest between the Gallagher Chiefs and the Brumbies will only truly be realised retrospectively. It could be the last time Dave Rennie leads his team into battle at FMG Stadium Waikato. It could be the last performance at home for a very special group of long-serving players that includes Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and James Lowe. Gallagher Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane said: “As far as special games go, our match on Saturday afternoon against the Brumbies is right up there. It’s our final guaranteed game at home this season and I’d love for thousands of our loyal fans to join me in the stands to honour Rens, Aaron and the boys who are leaving at the end of this season. Let’s give them a turnout befitting the massive contribution they’ve made to our Club.” Whether the Gallagher Chiefs play on home soil again this season is unknown, but some things are certain. It will be Stephen ‘Beaver’ Donald’s 100th Investec Super Rugby competition game when he takes the field against the Brumbies on Saturday night. Having captained the Chiefs in International fixtures against Wales in 2016 and the British & Irish Lions last month, Donald has already celebrated his century milestone with the Club. The result of Saturday’s game will also ultimately decide the Gallagher Chiefs quarterfinals opponent. Currently there are two scenarios; the preference sees the Gallagher Chiefs pack their bags next Wednesday for Canberra to take on Australia’s best Super Rugby side, the Brumbies. The appeal of this scenario is solely due to the reduced travel time. To secure this, the Chiefs must defeat the Brumbies this weekend and in the later game, the Crusaders must draw with or beat the Hurricanes. The second scenario sees the Gallagher Chiefs depart for Cape Town a mere seven hours after their match this Saturday to play the Stormers. Head coach Dave Rennie has opted to rest hard-working All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown to refresh them for playoffs next weekend. Tim Nanai-Williams will rejoin the side next week following his commitments with the Samoan national team. The Gallagher Chiefs will wear black armbands on Saturday to acknowledge the passing of Ron Hendl - a wonderful supporter, long-standing sponsor and member of the Chiefs whanau. The Gallagher Chiefs play the Brumbies at 5.15pm this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato. Get your friends and family together and join thousands of passionate Chiefs fans for an exhilarating afternoon of rugby. Tickets are available from ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 CHIEFS. -
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Messam isn't that far away from 200 caps, which seems insane.
The Chiefs tend to play like shit straight after the June test break and get cocky against shit teams, so I'm a little apprehensive about this game. Hopefully it's for naught and they give them a hiding.
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@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Brumbies:
@Unco Didn't he play his 150th a couple of rounds ago? Not quite his 200th yet, but still impressive.
The lineup you posted above has him on 160, which is why I said he's not that far away from it. 200 would be like another two and a half seasons, which I could see happening.
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fuck that was good!
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@Donsteppa no communication about who was taking who...
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accidental bro!
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why would you not have a 22?
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how forward was that pass by LOwe!!
