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Counties star Etene Nanai-Seturo may have to watch from the bench due to a season-ending injury, but the Chiefs still might win this weekend’s playoff match without him.
Gallagher Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes has recalled seven All Blacks to his starting squad for Saturday’s Qualifying Final against the Reds in Hamilton, a week on from demolishing the Blues (59–34) at Waikato Stadium.
Playmaker Damian McKenzie will start at first-five having missed the last two games with concussion.
“It speaks volumes of the depth we have here,” he says. “We have the mindset of the next man up, and when guys get an opportunity they make the most of it.”
The Chiefs have won 10 of their last 12 finals matches at home, including all six playoff games against Australian sides.
However, nothing can be taken for granted in finals footie.
“It’s not just any other game, it’s a qualifying final and we have to make sure we earn our week by training really well and just taking it one week at a time,” McKenzie says.
“At the start of the year, you want to get to this end of the season and be in contention… now it’s about focusing on what’s in front of us,” he adds. “The boys are really excited to rip in this weekend.”
The team to take down – sorry, ‘on’! – the Reds is:
- Ollie Norris
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Sione Ahio
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
- Simon Parker
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Wallace Sititi
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Kyren Taumoefolau
- Quinn Tupaea (vc)
- Kyle Brown
- Liam Coombes-Fabling
- Isaac Hutchinson
Reserves
- Brodie McAlister
- Jared Proffit
- George Dyer
- Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Samipeni Finau
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
- Josh Jacomb
- Leroy Carter
