Coach Colin Cooper has made two injury-enforced changes to the Chiefs’ starting lineup for Saturday’s match against the Sharks in Hamilton.
Injuries to captain Michael Allardice (ankle) and Lachlan Boshier (ribs) against the Highlanders last week, has forced Cooper’s hand into making changes to the pack.
Tyler Ardron will shift from No 8 to the second row, where he’ll combine with lock Mitchell Brown. Jesse Parete moves from the bench to start at No 6, with Luke Jacobson moving to eighthman. Mitch Karpik returns from a knee injury to start on the openside.
Cooper has named an unchanged backline. Scrumhalf Brad Weber will captain the side in the absence of co-captains Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane, as well as stand-in skipper Allardice.
Chiefs – 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (c), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 6 Jesse Parete, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Tyler Ardron, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli.
Subs: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Shaun Stevenson, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Photo: Getty Images
