Chiefs name unchanged matchday 23 squad for semi final clash against the Hurricanes

The Chiefs have named an unchanged matchday 23 squad from the one that demolished the Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific quarter final last week, banking on continuity against the Hurricanes this weekend.

With the Chiefs suffering two losses against the Hurricanes this year, they will want to turn the tables around this time.

Coach Clayton McMillan says the key focus for them this week is accuracy and discipline.

McMillan says they improved significantly against the Reds, and that alone enabled them to play the type of game they know they have always been capable of playing.

He says it is also encouraging that they have a fit and fresh squad, and for the first time this year, they are able to name an unchanged matchday 23.

He adds the Hurricanes have set the pace in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, have earned the right to get the home advantage through the finals, and will be formidable opposition again in front of a large and expectant home crowd.

The Chiefs’s starting XV include:

Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (captain), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson.

The impact players are:

Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea and Daniel Rona.

The Chiefs will take on the Hurricanes at 4.35pm Saturday in Wellington in the second semi final.

In the first semi final, the Blues will take on the Brumbies at 7.05pm tomorrow at Eden Park, Auckland.