Chiefs v Hurricanes

[Crucial]

Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Warren Gatland has made five changes and one positional change to his twenty-three for the derby clash to kick off at 3.35pm.

Following a credible performance against the Crusaders last week, Gatland has named an unchanged forward pack. However, injury has forced Gatland’s hand to make changes to the side’s backline. Anton Lienert-Brown has been side-lined with concussion. Rookie Quinn Tupaea shifts into second five-eighth with Tumua Manu moving into the starting line-up at centre.

Electrifying fullback Damian McKenzie will run out for his 80th game in the Gallagher Chiefs jersey.

In the reserves, young lock Tupou Vaa’i and rookie loose forward Dylan Nel return to the twenty-three in the only two changes to the replacement forwards. After running out for Rotoiti Rugby Club last weekend, experienced halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi returns to the twenty-three and is joined by fellow Bay of Plenty teammate Kaleb Trask. Waikato’s Solomon Alaimalo completes the line-up in jersey twenty-three.

Gatland said they need to apply their learnings from previous encounters to deliver the performance they are after.

“Last week against the Crusaders we put on a solid performance however a few crucial moments cost us the win in a tight battle. We need to execute those opportunities to gain the win.”

“There is a great rivalry between our two teams and the boys are eager to get one back after falling short before lockdown. The Hurricanes have some elusive attacking players and are a dangerous team with ball in hand. We know they will be refreshed and eager to get a win, just like us, so it will be a tight tussle and one we know families and fans will enjoy,” finished Gatland.

[Bovidae]

Nankivell is listed to play club rugby again so obviously the coaches don't feel they need him in the 23. Wainui as midfield cover. I think 2nd 5 is Tupaea's best position so it will be interesting to see how he goes against Laumape.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae I rate him so high so I'm excited to see Quinn play 12.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah That is the position he played in schoolboy rugby.

[foobaNZ]

More baffling selections from the Canes management - obviously they can't see what everyone else can

I am sure it hasn't gone unnoticed that when the Blues selected a decent halfback their form turned around too

[Toddy]

Will the Chiefs even miss ALB. He's been anonymous in this comp so far.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

Hurricanes

1 Fraser Armstrong
2 Dane Coles [cc]
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Reed Prinsep
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Ardie Savea
9 TJ Perenara [cc]
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
11 Ben Lam
12 Ngani Laumape
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 Kobus Van Wyk
15 Jordie Barrett

RESERVES:
16 Ricky Riccitelli
17 Ben May
18 Alex Fidow
19 Vaea Fifita
20 Devan Flanders/Liam Mitchell
21 Jamie Booth
22 Billy Proctor
23 Wes Goosen

Barrett returns for Hurricanes clash against Chiefs

It is notable that neither Fletcher Smith or Simon Hickey are not required in the matchday 23. At least Hickey is deemed good enough to command a starting spot in the Poneke Club's 1st XV.

[Nepia]

[Bones]

@Higgins Rayasi only good enough for club rugby too.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Simon Hickey has been signed for SR 2021; not for SRA.

[Higgins]

@Bones That one is hard to take considering a Saffa import is being preferred ahead of him

[Bones]

@Higgins he's hobm, super players don't play for hobm.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

@Higgins Simon Hickey has been signed for SR 2021; not for SRA.

That means we have to stew on it until March next year before we can start fully expousing on the mystery of the signing.

[Higgins]

@Bones said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

@Higgins he's hobm, super players don't play for hobm.

They obviously don't have the sway with the powers that be that their cousins MSP over the release of players for club rugby.

[Bones]

@Higgins oh no he's back playing this weekend. All I'm saying is hobm might as well be Hawkes Bay. Especially with the way they beat Wellington last week...

[Higgins]

@Bones Thank you for the comments!!!! Whislt still the deserving winners HOBM did score a couple of lengthy intercept tries as well as one that came from what looked like a decidedly forward pass!!!!!!!!. It must be conceded that a few of their players have been up in the Hawkes Bay but none of them have really established themselves as starters. Even Sheridan Rangihuna might find it a bit difficult ousting Folau Fakatava or Brad Weber from the number 9 jersey although being a Texan you will know who I would like to see wearing that particular jersey!!!!!!!!

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

@Higgins Simon Hickey has been signed for SR 2021; not for SRA.

Are you certain this is the case?

Stuff article reads as if he is back now

Hickey returned home just before the Covid-19 pandemic with the ambition of playing Super Rugby again, and had his first training with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Wednesday.

Hickey isn’t expected to be considered for the Hurricanes’ match-day 23 for several weeks as he readjusts to contact training.

[Stargazer]

@KiwiMurph Hmm, the media release about his signing isn't clear about it either. Training with the squad doesn't, of course, mean he'll (be allowed to) play for them though. He wouldn't be the first SR player to train with the squad he'll play for the following SR season after returning from overseas. But who knows, maybe he's already signed for SRA. In that case, I wonder who he replaces. Maybe Fletcher Smith is injured (long-term)? Or James Marshall has already hung up his boots?

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer the article also says this

Hickey has signed with the Hurricanes until the end of 2021.

So potentially rest of this year and 2021?

[Chris B.]

Can't say that I see the rationale for starting Princep ahead of Fifita.

I haven't paid too much attention to Van Wyk, but Rayasi is a weapon and I'd like to see him playing.