Six changes to Chiefs line-up for Hurricanes clash

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The Gallagher Chiefs and Hurricanes will honour the ANZACs on Friday when they acknowledge all men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. The match will feature a reading of The Ode, playing of the Last Post, a moment’s silence, and The Reveille. The matchday will also feature poppy collections for the RSA Poppy Appeal.

Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan has made six changes to the Gallagher Chiefs twenty-three to face the Hurricanes.

Only one change has been made to the Gallagher Chiefs starting forward pack after Luke Jacobson was ruled out with concussion. Pita Gus Sowakula shifts to start at number eight, with Samipeni Finau looking to make an impact off the bench.

In the backs, Bryn Gatland will direct the backline at first five-eighth, with playmaker Damian McKenzie starting in the fifteen jersey, seeing utility back Chase Tiatia onto the bench as cover.

Māori All Blacks midfielder Rameka Poihipi will be hoping to make his Gallagher Chiefs debut off the bench in jersey twenty-two. 

McMillan highlighted the tightness of the competition and that wins are currently down to moments.

“The team were pleased to have won last week as it kept us alive in an extremely tight competition. Small moments are determining the outcome of games and we have been on the right side of the ledger in recent weeks. Conversely the Hurricanes have been really unlucky and are a far more formidable side than what the points table indicates.”

Gallagher Chiefs:

1. Aidan Ross (41)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (42)
3. Angus Ta’avao (41)
4. Tupou Vaa’i (12)
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (18)
6. Mitchell Brown (51)
7. Lachlan Boshier (57)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula (31)
9. Brad Weber (91) (c)
10. Bryn Gatland (3)
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo (19)
12. Alex Nankivell (36)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (87)
14. Jonah Lowe (4)
15. Damian McKenzie (90)
 

Reserves:

16. Nathan Harris (59)
17. Ollie Norris (9)
18. Sione Mafileo (3)
19. Samipeni Finau (4)
20. Kaylum Boshier (3)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (43)
22. Rameka Poihipi**
23. Chase Tiatia (4)
 

() = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets

*denotes Gallagher Chiefs debut

**denotes Sky Super Rugby debut

Unavailable for selection:

Atu Moli (hips), Laghlan McWhannell (knee), Luke Jacobson (concussion), Mitchell Karpik (knee), Reuben O’Neill (concussion), Sam Cane (shoulder/pectoral), Simon Parker (foot), Sean Wainui (illness), Quinn Tupaea (knee).