Reuben O’Neill will play his 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs on Saturday while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is poised to make his debut off the bench.
Reuben O’Neill will play his 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs on Saturday while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is poised to make his debut off the bench.
With Damian McKenzie out with concussion and Etene Nanai-Seturo nursing a sore foot, Sinkinson comes onto the bench as the Gallagher Chiefs return to Hamilton after their mini tour to Australia.
Leroy Carter remains at centre as Daniel Rona and Lalakai Foketi continue their recovery from their respective hamstring and hand injuries.
“Daniel is a great reflection of how well our wider training group has contributed to our environment this season so far,” Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Jono Gibbes said.
“He has been a consistent performer for us at training and for the University of Waikato Taua development side as well.”
O’Neill debuted for the Gallagher Chiefs in 2020 and had a brief stint with the Crusaders in 2023 but has since been a permanent fixture in Hamilton.
“Playing my 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs is a huge honour,” O’Neill said. “This club has given me a lot. I’m fizzed to get out there on Saturday with the brothers.”
Alongside O’Neill, Ollie Norris will make his first start this year after coming back from injury via the bench. It’s a settled pack that sees Kaylum Boshier start at No8 with Simon Parker set to make an impact off the bench. Vice captain Tupou Vaa’i returns after he missed the win against the Force with a knee injury.
“It’s nice to be home again and we are looking forward to playing in front of our people at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday,” Gibbes said.
The game is set to be a weekend of Easter fun with attendees being treated to a live DJ, and a special Augmented Reality Easter Egg Drop. Fans will be able to see Easter Eggs falling from the sky, and if they’re lucky will win exclusive Gallagher Chiefs merch, easter prizes and more.
And to celebrate 30 years of Chiefs Rugby the club is returning to 1996 and offering all seats in the Porter Group stand for just $19.96
Did You Know?
● The Gallagher Chiefs have won their last three Super Rugby games against the Waratahs in New Zealand, scoring 39 or more points in each match.
● The Gallagher Chiefs are on an eight game winning streak at home against teams from Australia, and scored 43 or more points in three of the last six such matches.
● The Gallagher Chiefs have won nine of their last 11 games against Australian teams.
● The Gallagher Chiefs have missed just 18.5 tackles per games this season, the fewest of any team in Super Rugby Pacific.
● Gallagher Chiefs vice captain Quinn Tupaea continues to lead voting for Super Rugby Player of the Year alongside Ben Donaldson from the Western Force.
Gallagher Chiefs v waratahs
7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, Saturday April 4.
Starting XV
1. Ollie Norris
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Josh Lord
5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Kaylum Boshier
9. Xavier Roe
10. Josh Jacomb
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Quinn Tupaea (vc)
13. Leroy Carter
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Liam Coombes-Fabling
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Jared Profitt
18. George Dyer
19. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20. Simon Parker
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Kyle Brown
23. Daniel Sinkinson*
Players unavailable due to injury:
Daniel Rona – hamstring – Rd 14
Lalakai Foketi – hand – Round 11-13
Wallace Sititi – Hamstring – Rd 8-10
Benét Kumeroa – Ankle – Rd 12
Damian McKenzie – Concussion – Round 9
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – Round 9
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season
