Reuben O’Neill will play his 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs this Saturday, while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is poised to make his debut off the bench.
With Damian McKenzie out with a concussion and Etene Nanai-Seturo nursing a sore foot, Sinkinson comes onto the bench as the Chiefs return to Hamilton after their mini tour to Australia.
Leroy Carter remains at centre as Daniel Rona and Lalakai Foketi continue their recovery from their respective hamstring and hand injuries.
O’Neill debuted for the Chiefs in 2020 and had a brief stint with the Crusaders in 2023, but has since been a permanent fixture in Hamilton.
O’Neill says playing his 50th game for the Chiefs is a huge honour, as the club has given him a lot.
He says he is fizzed to get out there on Saturday with the brothers.
Alongside O’Neill, Ollie Norris will make his first start this year after coming back from injury via the bench.
It is a settled pack that sees Kaylum Boshier start at No.8, with Simon Parker set to make an impact off the bench.
Vice-captain Tupou Vaa’i returns after he missed the win against the Force with a knee injury.
The Chiefs will meet the Waratahs at 6.05pm Saturday.
In other matches, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will face the Crusaders at 6.05pm tomorrow, and the Reds will take on the Force at 8.35pm Saturday.
Source: Chiefs
