All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie returns from a knee injury at first five-eighth as the Chiefs seek more payback against the Blues this Saturday in their round 5 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific game.
The Chiefs remained top despite their historic 28-24 loss to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Lautoka last week, welcoming back another All Black, skipper and loose forward Luke Jacobson, after his facial injury.
McMillan has also introduced Brodie McAlister, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker and Jahrome Brown to their starting pack, leaving Samipeni Finau on the bench.
McKenzie’s comeback means No 10 Josh Jacomb is demoted to the bench and reunites the menacing attacking trio of McKenzie, Emoni Narawa and Shaun Stevenson from the start, as well as halfback Xavier Roe.
Blues coach Vern Cotter has made eight personnel changes to his starting XV, one positional flip, and just one returnee on the bench from last week’s disappointing 21-20 loss to the Brumbies at Eden Park.
He has clearly done his level-best to produce a strong finishing unit amid an ongoing injury/unavailability crisis, with 11 still out of the picture this week, including new additions Beauden Barrett (hand fracture) and Ricky Riccitelli (chest).
Three of the starting changes come in the backs, with youngster Xavi Taele into 12 for his debut, and AJ Lam dropping to that souped-up bench, and Harry Plummer and Sam Nock taking over in the halves, for Barrett and Christie (on the pine).
Up front there is a new-look front row, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi on the tighthead side for the first time this season, veteran Kurt Eklund making his first appearance for the year at hooker and Samoan international Jordan Lay likewise at loosehead.
The Chiefs host the Blues at 6.05pm Saturday.
In other matches this week, the Highlanders will play the Hurricanes at 6.05pm Friday, the Brumbies face the Drua at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Crusaders meet the Western Force at 3.35pm Saturday, and the Reds will play the Waratahs at 8.35pm Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s side will play the Brumbies Women at 3.35pm on Saturday at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
Source: Stuff.co
