McKenzie back for Super Rugby showdown
- Dave Worsley
- May 7
- 2 min read
Round 13 of Super Rugby Pacific features the top-of-table clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders in Christchurch as a highlight.
The Chiefs have looked a little wobbly at times whereas the Crusaders appear to get stronger at every outing.
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Damian McKenzie returns after missing two matches with injury, he takes the place of Josh Jacomb at first five in an otherwise unchanged Chiefs lineup.
The Chiefs have the strong loose forward combo of Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson and Wallace Sititi to contender anything the southern side throws at them.
Meanwhile the home side have named Rivez Reihana to start at first five with Taha Kemara injured. James O'Connor stays on the bench as an impact player.
Brayden Ennor is back at centre from yet another injury at centre from injury to combine with David Havili.
The Blues are away to the Fijian Drua in Suva but have been spared the heat and humidity of an afternoon game.
The Blues have AJ Lam on the wing and a strong back reserves bench of Finley Christie, Harry Plumber and Zarn Sullivan.
Dalton Papali'i will combine with Anton Segner and Hoskins Sotutu in the loose forwards while Laghlan McWannell and Patrick Tuipulotu lock the scrum as the Blues search for another win.
Blues v Fijian Drua, 7:05pm Friday 9 May, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Zarn Sullivan
Crusaders v Chiefs, 7:05pm Saturday 10 May, , Apollo Projects Stadium
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neil, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
