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Damian McKenzie remains sidelined for Chiefs' Wellington visit
By Ned Lester
The ladder-leading Chiefs will again be without the services of star playmaker Damian McKenzie when they play a building Hurricanes side in round 12.
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McKenzie is still rehabbing a hand injury that saw him miss last weekend’s resounding 56-22 win over the Western Force, meaning promising reserve 10 Josh Jacomb has landed another start.
Elsewhere in the team, Wallace Sititi remains on the bench in the No. 21 jersey, as the team ease their star loose forward back into action and tries their luck with another 6/2 bench split. The tactic was put to the test in round 11’s win, with halfback Cortez Ratima ending the game on the left wing while flanker Kaylum Boshier occupied the right wing.
Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea and Kaleb Trask were all forced changes during the contest, and while Tupaea has been deemed fit for this week’s action, Lienert-Brown will play no further part in the Chiefs’ season. In the 80-Test All Black’s place is Daniel Rona. Coming onto the bench to provide cover for the backline is Gideon Wrampling.
McKenzie is expected back shortly, as is electric outside back Etene Nanai-Seturo. In the meantime, the Chiefs will take confidence from a resilient win in Mount Maugnanui as they prepare for the Hurricanes.
“We were happy with the effort last weekend at Bay Oval. We’ve been building our game, rotating bodies, and relishing the close nature of the competition,” Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said.
“The Force are a vastly different side from previous seasons, so we were pleased to come away with the outcome. This week will be a real litmus test. We will learn a lot about ourselves against a high-quality Hurricanes outfit, especially at their house, where they have been pretty formidable in front of their fans and family. It’s a tough place to play but we look forward to the challenge.”
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Chiefs team to play the Hurricanes
- Ollie Norris
- Bradley Slater
- George Dyer
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Kaylum Boshier
- Luke Jacobson
- Cortez ratima
- Josh Jacomb
- Leroy Carter
- Quinn Tupaea
- Daniel Rona
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Aidan Ross
18. Reuben O’Neill
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Simon Parker
21. Wallace Sititi
22. Xavier Roe
23. Gideon Wrampling
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Whats wrong with his hand? Two weeks now. Is it bust like Barretts?
Its a pity Dmac is out but this should be a pretty good game. Looking forward to seeing the centre battle and the 9 battle as well as the battle up front. Geez there are class battles every where.
Yeah the brawn v finesse battle in midfield, 12 especially, should be a good one.
D’Mac, when are you coming back? My little D’Mac, when are you coming back?
Get rested up and get the kicking boots back on for the knock-outs!
The Chiefs have 6 loose forwards better than any of the Highlanders’ loosies- 6 Finau and Parker, 7 Boshier and Brown, 8 Jacobson and Sititi.
The Highlanders have two better prospects in the backrow, at 6 and 7, than any of the Chiefs loosies - 6 Haig and 7 Lasaqa.
Lakai and Karifi are playing great footy
Wallace sells tickets! He is BOX OFFICE!