Splice Construction Development named to face Blues Development
Splice Construction Chiefs Development team has been named to play the Blues Development on Friday 22 February at 5.00pm at Pakuranga Rugby Football Club.
The Splice Construction Chiefs Development side named this week features a number of changes in comparison to their hit out against the University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20’s last Friday at FMG Stadium Waikato. The Splice Construction Chiefs Development side will be without loosehead prop Tevita Mafileo and openside flanker Mitchell Karpik who will take the field for the Gallagher Chiefs. Kobelco Steelers looshead prop Shigure Takao will start with Counties Manukau’s Sean Bagshaw moving onto the bench. A further reshuffle in the starting forward pack will see a new locking combination of Laghlan McWhannell and Damon Leasuasu. Bay of Plenty’s Aaron Carroll moves from lock to the blindside and Waikato’s Mitch Jacobson will start at openside. Tom Florence will complete the forward pack slotting in at number eight.
Only two changes in the backline will see Counties Manukau’s Pisi Leilua start on the left wing and Luteru Laulala start at fullback.
Joining Bagshaw as new additions on the reserves bench will be Bay of Plenty prop Ross Geldenhuys and loose forward Zane Kapeli as well as Kobelco Steelers midfielder Issie Shige.
The side will be co-captained by Bradley Slater and Jack Stratton.
Splice Construction Chiefs Development:
1. Shigure Takao (Kobelco Steelers)
2. Bradley Slater (Taranaki) ©
3. Jeff Thwaites (Bay of Plenty)
4. Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato)
5. Damon Leasuasu (Counties Manukau)
6. Aaron Carroll (Bay of Plenty)
7. Mitch Jacobson (Waikato)
8. Tom Florence (Taranaki)
9. Jack Stratton (Waikato) ©
10. Tom Jordan (Waikato)
11. Pisi Leilua (Counties Manukau)
12. Charlie Lawrence (Kobelco Steelers)
13. Matt Garland (Bay of Plenty)
14. Tomoyuki Ochiai (Kobelco Steelers)
15. Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Reserves:
16. Sekope Lopeti Moli (Waikato)
17. Sean Bagshaw (Counties Manukau)
18. Ross Geldenhuys (Bay of Plenty)
19. Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty)
20. Ryo Inoue (Kobelco Steelers)
21. Xavier Roe (Taranaki)
22. Issie Shige (Kobelco Steelers)
23. Brandon Mudzekenyedz (Waikato)
Unavailable due to injury: Sue Asomua (Counties Manukau)
Chiefs Management:
Head Coach: Andrew Strawbridge
Coach: Paul Hodder
Coach: Grant Henson
Manager: Paul Galleta and David Fox
Trainer: Toby Banfield
Video Analyst: Mark Roberts
Physio: Teresa Te Tamaki
Fixtures:
Friday 22nd February: Splice Construction Chiefs Development vs. Blues Under 20’s, Pakaranga Rugby Club, Auckland, 5.00pm
Saturday 16th March: Splice Construction Chiefs Development vs. New Zealand Under 20’s Trial Team, Rugby Institute Palmerston North, 5.00pm
Friday 29th March: Splice Construction Chiefs Development vs. Blues Development, Betham Park Hamilton, 5.00pm
