Chiefs make three changes for encounter against Blues
Chiefs recently registered their first win in the Super Rugby Aotearoa
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Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has made three changes for the upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa game against Blues to be played at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday.
With Jonah Lowe unavailable for the game due to sickness, Shaun Stevenson comes at right wing and is joined Sean Wainui at left while Damian McKenzie is retained at fullback along with Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea at midfield.
Kaleb Trask will continue to take the fly-half role with Brad Weber at scrum-half while the final change comes at second row with Samipeni Finau replacing Tupou Vaa'i.
“The Blues are a quality team. They will be disappointed with aspects of their game from the weekend and will be determined to get back on track against us. We are prepared for the backlash and will be looking to build on last week’s performance," said McMillan.
“We have lost a couple of players to injury and sickness this week, but that provides others with the opportunity to put their hand up. We do welcome back Pita Gus Sowakula from injury, and it will be exciting to see the impact he has off the bench.”
Chiefs recently registered their first ever win in the Super Rugby Aotearoa when they defeated Hurricanes 35-29 in the previous round and are positioned last in the table with four points.
Chiefs starting XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Kaleb Trask, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Samipeni Finau, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Reserves: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Chase Tiatia.
