The Chiefs have made some changes to their pack, as they head to Rotorua to take on the Bulls in a Super Rugby Round 15 match on Friday.
The changes up front are all to the tight forwards.
In the front row Mitchell Graham starts at loosehead prop.
In the 2nd row Michael Fitzgerald has been bracketed with former Chief and All Black Ross Filipo, who was called into the side earlier this week as cover.
The confirmed starting lock will be joined in the 2nd row by the newly re-signed Johan Bardoul.
The only other change to the run on side sees Augustine Pulu assume the starting role at scrumhalf.
Prop Pauliasi Manu and scrumhalf Brad Weber move to the replacement bench, while utility back Tim Nanai-Williams returns to the match day 23.
Chiefs development lock Brian Alainu’uese gets the opportunity to make his Chiefs and Super Rugby debut off the bench.
The 21-year-old has come through the Chiefs Under 18 programme and has been part of the Chiefs development squad for the last 2 seasons.
Meanwhile a scan on winger James Lowe’s right shoulder has revealed he has an injury to the cartilage on the shoulder joint which will require a rehabilitation period of 4 to 6 weeks.
“We are excited to be able to take a competition game to Rotorua,” Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman said.
“Now it is up to the locals to show they want Super Rugby in their region by coming along on Friday to support Liam and the team.”
Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (Captain), 5 Johan Bardoul, 4 Michael Fitzgerald / Ross Filipo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Pauliasi Manu, 19 Brian Alainu’uese, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Date: Friday 22 May
Venue: Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Kick-Off: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Aki Aso (Japan)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
rugby365
Big Bulls advantage in the lock department…..sadly, that’s where it ends.
Front rows are probably even, as is the loose forwards, but the back line advantage goes to the Chiefs by a big margin.
It’s going to be a close game…..have a feeling Nanai Willaims will come on and do some damage.
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