Lord, Florence get their first run of the season

The Gallagher Chiefs have named a balanced side to face the Fijian Drua at FMG Stadium Waikato for round four of DHL Super Rugby Pacific.

Off the bench, two Taranaki forwards will make their first feature in the 23 since pre-season; All Black Josh Lord and rookie Tom Florence. Both players debuted for the Gallagher Chiefs in 2021, however, Florence has spent the past two seasons in the USA with NOLA Gold Rugby.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are looking forward to hosting the Fijian Drua and the massive challenge they present. Their willingness to play with flair and enterprise has been impressive and built off the back of a vastly improved set-piece.

“It was disappointing to lose against a tough Reds team, but it put a spotlight on areas of our game we need to improve, and that has been a big focus for us this week.

“Josh Lord’s return is timely given an injury to Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Tupou Vaa’i on an All Blacks load management week. Tom Florence also gets his first opportunity this year after impressing over the pre-season and in training.”

The match will follow the Chiefs Manawa battle against Matatū in a doubleheader Chiefs Festival of Rugby. Fans will also witness New Zealand’s first drone light show at halftime. Tickets are available from chiefs.flicket.co.nz.

Gallagher Chiefs team to face the Fijian Drua:
1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
5. Jimmy Tupou
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Kaylum Boshier
8. Luke Jacobson (Captain)
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Rameka Poihipi
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Daniel Rona
15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Josh Lord
20. Tom Florence
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Ioane
23. Quinn Tupaea

Match Details
Gates Open: 4pm
4.35pm Chiefs Manawa v Matatū
7.30pm Gallagher Chiefs v Fijian Drua
FMG Stadium Waikato
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sport