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Chiefs tweak trio for Blues rugby tussle

The Chiefs, fresh off a history-busting win over the Highlanders, have mixed up their loose forward trio for their Super Rugby clash with the Blues.

Five-eighth Aaron Cruden will play his 100th Super Rugby game when his Chiefs tackle the Blues on Friday night in Hamilton.

Cruden, 28, played 25 games for the Hurricanes before switching to the Chiefs in 2012, when he linked up with his former Manawatu boss Dave Rennie.

The 47-cap All Black has since clocked up 74 games for the Waikato-based franchise, leading them to the title in 2012 and 2013.

Elsewhere, Rennie has made seven charges to the side who defeated the Highlanders 24-15 last weekend in Dunedin.

The tight five remain the same for the second consecutive week while, in a loose-forward reshuffle, Liam Messam moves to the blindside and Lachlan Boshier is promoted from the bench as No.7.

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Japanese international Michael Leitch will also make his first appearance of the season as No.8, while Test openside Sam Cane has again failed to overcome an ankle niggle.

Mitch Karpik drops out of the match-day 23.

There is just one change in the backs, with Tim Nanai-Williams moving from the bench to replace Toni Pulu on the right edge.

James Lowe, who scored two intercepts as the Chiefs broke a three-year drought to beat the Highlanders, retained his place on the left wing.

CHIEFS:

Damian McKenzie, Tim Nanai-Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Johnny Faauli, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (capt), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Michael Leitch, Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Hika Elliot, Kane Hames. Res: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Siegried Fisi'ihoi, Atu Moli, Taleni Seu, Tom Sanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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