FRIDAY MAY 10th, 2024 Go Media Stadium, Auckland, NZ
The Chiefs are without Damian McKenzie for Friday night’s visit to Mt Smart for their second meeting in five weeks against Moana Pasifika.
Chiefs Line-up Changes
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has opted to give his star playmaker a break for his second week of designated All Blacks rest, although he was unavailable anyway because of concussion protocols.
Josh Jacomb from Taranaki will now don the No 10 jersey, seizing his chance to take charge of the team.
Meanwhile, lock Josh Lord is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He has also played for the All Blacks in 2021 as cover for Scott Barrett playing against the USA Eagles.
All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa has been rested and replaced on the right wing by Liam Coombes-Fabling.
Luke Jacobson returns as captain at openside flanker and Xavier Roe starts at halfback in place of Cortez Ratima.
Samisoni Taukei’aho, the All Blacks hooker, has returned to the front row.
Beginning the round in fourth place, the Chiefs are well-positioned to host a quarterfinal in the opening week of the playoffs.
Moana Pasifika Mass Changes
Coach Tana Umaga has made mass changes after last weekends defeat to the Highlanders in Tonga..
Sitting three points outside the top eight, in ninth, ex-Chiefs outside back Lalomilo Lalomilo will make his Moana Pasifika debut. Siaosi Nginingini, the halfback from North Harbour, is another newcomer who may make his debut from the bench.
Line-up
Chiefs
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris;
Reserves. Tyrone Thompson, Jared Proffit, Sione Ahio, Hamilton Burr, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling.
Moana Pasifika
Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Pepesana Patafilo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Neria Fomai, D’Angelo Leuila, Aisea Halo, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiʻilagi, Allan Craig, Semisi Paea, Suetena Asomua, Sama Malolo (capt), Saketi Latu.
Reserves. Tomasi Maka, Abraham Pole, Sione Mafileo, Tom Savage, Irie Papuni, Siaosi Nginingini, Otumaka Mausia, Kyren Taumoefolau.
Referee. Damon Murphy, Assistant Referees. Nic Berry, George Myers
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