SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, ROUND 12, MAY 12th, 2023
WAIKATO CHIEFS v QLD REDS
YARROW STADIUM,NEW PLYMOUTH,NZ
The Chiefs bring their perfect record of 10 wins to Yarrow Stadium, the first of 4 remaining matches before the play offs. In Round 11 they were 52-28 winners away to the Highlanders, scoring 7 tries (and conceding 4) to secure a bonus point which stretched their lead over the second placed Brumbies to 9 points.
Earlier results against Australian sides include a 44-25 victory at home to the Rebels in Round 4 and a 24-14 win away to the Waratahs in Round 5.
Reds:
The Reds went down 32-24 at home to the Waratahs in Round 11 (17-17 at half time) to leave them looking over the shoulders in the battle for remaining play off places.
In earlier matches against New Zealand opposition the Reds began their campaign at home to the Hurricanes in Townsville and they were beaten 47-13 and they also went down 25-12 at home to the Crusaders in Round 6.
The Reds now have a record of 4 wins and 6 defeats and their tally of 19 log points saw them finish the previous round in seventh place with Drua (17 points) and the Rebels and Highlanders (15 points) all in range.
Team News
Chiefs Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater, John Ryan, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Reserves. Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Atunaisa Moli, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Josh Ioane, Alex Nankivell
Former All Blacks prop Atu Moli will make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The 27-year-old’s career has been beset by injuries since playing the last of his four tests at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
He has been named on the bench as the Chiefs stage a fixture in New Plymouth for the first time since 2017.
Moli’s last Super Rugby match was in the Chiefs’ quarterfinal win over the Waratahs last June.
Co-captains Brad Weber and Sam Cane are rested as All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick remains sidelined with a groin injury, although he should return in the coming weeks.
Cortez Ratima starts instead of All Blacks halfback Weber and Josh Lord replaces Retallick in the second row, with Etene Nanai-Seturo and Rameka Poihipi returning at left wing and second five-eighth respectively.
Great to see Moli back after a serious injury. The big fella can play both sides of the scrum, but has suffered dreadful injuries over the years .He plays for Tasman in the NPC competition. All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has also been given the week off – replaced by Bradley Slater – among the nine changes in the starting XV, including six in their pack.
Luke Jacobson is retained at No 8 and will be captain in their loose forward trio alongside Simon Parker, who gets a rare start, and Samipeni Finau, who replaces Pita Gus Sowakula.
Props John Ryan and Jared Proffit have been promoted to start and playmaker Josh Ioane has returned, albeit in the reserves, with Bryn Gatland unavailable due to injury.
Reds George Blake, Richie Asiata, Peni Ravai, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott (c), Lawson Creighton, Mac Grealy, James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Reserves. Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Tom Lynagh, Paddy James
The Reds have made seven changes to their side for this clash. Harry Wilson gets a well-deserved rest after starting all 10 matches to date. Taj Annan and Josh Flook have both been ruled out with injury.
Referee. Paul Williams
Assistant referees. Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
PREDICTION.
The Chiefs are having a dream season having won all 10 matches.The Reds have struggled and it is hard to see the Reds pulling off a miracle here especially in New Zealand.
Chiefs have won their last 10 matches.
Chiefs have won 6 of their last 7 matches against the Reds.
Reds have lost 6 of their last 10 matches.
Reds have lost 13 of their last 14 matches against New Zealand sides.
The Reds are down in seventh place on the Super Rugby table. With just four wins from 10 fixtures, it has hardly been an impressive season thus far.
After losing heavily to the Brumbies a month ago, the Reds bounced back with good wins over Moana and the Western Force. Last week they, however, slumped to another defeat, going down 32-24 at home to the Waratahs.
I heard during the week how the Reds were talking up the win this week. I am not sure they have been watching the competition, because even with players rested by the Chiefs they will run away with this. There is a good chance of a bonus point as well. Chiefs by plenty.
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