The Chiefs have largely retained the same lineup for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Crusaders in Christchurch, with Damian McKenzie ruled out through concussion and lock Josh Lord returning after his own stand-down period.
Coach Jono Gibbes said consistency in selection was valuable heading into such a major fixture, with Josh Jacomb again steering the side at first five and Isaac Hutchinson keeping his place at fullback.
Vice-captain Quinn Tupaea also returns, while Cortez Ratima regains the starting halfback role. Off the field, Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Simon Graafhuis stirred rivalry tensions by encouraging supporters to sneak banned cowbells into the new Christchurch stadium, joking that fans could hide them in jackets or lunchboxes and promising prizes for the most creative efforts.
Chiefs squad
- Ollie Norris
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Sione Ahio
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
- Samipeni Finau
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Wallace Sititi
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Jacomb
- Kyren Taumoefolau
- Quinn Tupaea (vc)
- Kyle Brown
- Liam Coombes-Fabling
- Isaac Hutchinson
- Brodie McAlister
- Jared Proffit
- George Dyer
- Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Simon Parker
- Xavier Roe
- Tepaea Cook-Savage
- Daniel Rona
