Gallagher Chiefs named for Northern derby
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Colin Cooper has selected a strong twenty three to face the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 13 April.
A new front row combination packing down will have Angus Ta’avao move to loosehead prop for the injured Aidan Ross. Nathan Harris will remain at hooker and Nepo Laulala at tighthead. Providing cover on the bench will be Tasman’s Ryan Coxon and tighthead Sosefo Kautai in jersey number 17 and 18 respectively. Captain Brodie Retallick returns to combine with Tyler Ardron who will shift from number eight to complete the tight five. In-form flankers Luke Jacobson and Lachlan Boshier remain with Taleni Seu to start at number eight to round out the forward pack. Pita Gus Sowakula will hope to make an impact off the bench in his first game of the 2019 Investec Super Rugby season and will be joined on the bench by Jesse Parete providing cover in jersey number 19.
The Gallagher Chiefs backline remains unchanged from the side who faced the Jaguares in Argentina. Ataata Moeakiola returns from injury named in jersey number 23. He will be joined by reserve halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and midfield cover Alex Nankivell.
Gallagher Chiefs:
1. Angus Ta’avao (23)
2. Nathan Harris (50)
3. Nepo Laulala (23)
4. Brodie Retallick (104) ©
5. Tyler Ardron (16)
6. Luke Jacobson (16)
7. Lachlan Boshier (36)
8. Taleni Seu (40)
9. Brad Weber (63)
10. Marty McKenzie (21)
11. Solomon Alaimalo (29)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (60)
13. Tumua Manu (6)
14. Sean Wainui (19)
15. Damian McKenzie (71)
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (16)
17. Ryan Coxon (1)
18. Sosefo Kautai (7)
19. Jesse Parete (14)
20. Pita Gus Sowakula (7)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (24)
22. Alex Nankivell (13)
23. Ataata Moeakiola (5)
() = Gallagher Chiefs caps in brackets
*denotes Gallagher Chiefs debut
**denotes Investec Super Rugby debut
Unavailable for selection:
Aidan Ross, Atu Moli, Fin Hoeata, Jonathan Taumateine, Kane Hames, Michael Allardice, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Reuben O’Neill, Sam Cane, Sam McNicol and Tiaan Falcon.
This weekend the Gallagher Chiefs will show their support for I Am Hope when they face the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday. Collection buckets for I Am Hope will be placed around the ground for anyone wishing to donate.
Game goers are encouraged to wear their gumboots to the Saturday fixture against the Blues. A special ‘Gumboot Cam’ will scan the live audience and show on the big screen to find fans in their gumboots. If a fan holds up their gumboots on the big screen they will win an instant prize of Gallagher Chiefs merchandise.
For those who don’t have a pair handy, Match Day sponsor Farmlands have jumped on board the cause. $5 from each pair of Red Bands purchased at a Farmlands store within the Waikato will be donated to I Am Hope.
The Northern derby will kick off with a bang with pyro technics and DROPIT reverse auctions. Free kids packs will be available at the 1-day.co.nz Fun Zones and an exclusive member’s entrance will be open at each gate. There are also plenty of prizes up for grabs with Gallagher Surprise and Delight packs which will be handed out throughout the game to legendary Gallagher Chiefs fans and Splice Construction rugby balls and frisbees will be launched into the crowd post-game as perfect keepsakes to have signed by the team.
The Gallagher Chiefs will take on the Blues on Saturday 13 April at 7.35pm at FMG Stadium Waikato. Tickets are available for purchase from Ticket Rocket or here: https://www.chiefs.co.nz/game-tickets.
Game Day Information:
Fixture: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues, Saturday 13 April, 7.35pm
Location: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Gates Open: 5.50pm
Tickets: https://www.chiefs.co.nz/game-tickets.
