SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, APRIL 29th, 2023 WAIKATO CHIEFS V CANTERBURY CRUSADERS
FMG STADIUM,WAIKATO,NZ
Back in 2012 when Dave Rennie was coach at the Chiefs they began standing up to the perennial red and black Canterbury powerhouse, and scored two pulsating semifinal wins against them on their way to securing the club their first and second titles, Retallick was front and centre of the mongrel the Chiefs began to frustrate the Crusaders with, never shy of adding in a wicked sledge with his powerful shoulder.
It’s now some 21 times the Rangiora-born, Christchurch Boys’ High-schooled second-rower has squared off against the Crusaders. It’s six more games than he’s played against any other Super side, and, in his distinguished first-class career, only short of the 25 occasions the 100-test All Black has suited up against the Wallabies. His All Black mate is on the other side.Last year’s final test of the season against England not only marked Retallick’s 100th in the black jersey, but was also a world record 64th that he and Whitelock had started together, breaking the previous mark set by Springboks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
Whitelock was absent from this year’s round-one clash (concussion) and from last season’s semifinal (thumb) and round-six game (finger), while Retallick missed the 2021 and 2020 seasons when playing in Japan, along with the 2019 game in Fiji with a wrist injury, while the other contest that year was when Whitelock was on the sidelines on early-season leave.
Retallick is going back to Kobe in Japan on a three year deal after the World Cup,2023.
Chiefs:
Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (co-capt), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Lalomilo Lalomilo.
The Chiefs have reverted to their strongest available line-up and welcome back co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber for the visit of the defending champions.
All Blacks Cane and Weber were among those rested for last Friday’s 50-17 victory over the Fijian Drua in Hamilton.
Others returning are loose forward Luke Jacobson and Emoni Narawa on the right wing and Tupou Vaa’i is promoted to start alongside Brodie Retallick in their second row.
Narawa’s comeback means Damian McKenzie shifts to first five-eighth and Shaun Stevenson returns to fullback.
Aidan Ross and George Dyer are also back as first-choice props among their eight changes to the starting side.
Outside back Lalomilo Lalomilo has been named on the bench for his potential Super Rugby debut.
Midfielders Anton Lienert-Brown (ankle), Quinn Tupaea (knee) and Alex Nankivell (concussion) remain on the sidelines.
Crusaders:
Fergus Burke, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dom Gardiner, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (capt), Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Oli Jager, Quinten Strange, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Jack Goodhue, Macca Springer.
Tighthead prop Oli Jager will make his first appearance of the season from the bench, reinforcing the Crusaders’ front row stocks after they lost All Blacks Fletcher Newell and George Bower for the year.
Wing Leicester Fainga’anuku is also back after missing the last two games with a calf strain, and will start in the No 11 jersey in what’s a new-look back three.
Citing Dallas McLeod’s defence, head coach Scott Robertson has opted for the specialist midfielder on the right-wing against the Chiefs’ potent outside backs.
McLeod has played ample wing in the past, mostly for Canterbury at the NPC level. NPC is provincial rugby where the players from Super Rugby go back to play for their province.
Lock Sam Whitelock will play his 350th first class game.
Referee. Angus Gardner
PREDICTION.
While I hate to say it, I think the Chiefs might get away with this in Hamilton in front of their fans, but never right the Crusaders off. You will find Angus Gardiner will be involved constantly in the game. Far too much for me, and he seems to ping the Crusaders more than others. I do not rate his refereeing very highly at all, and he seems to want to be on tv to me. SHAME REALLY.
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