Playmaker Damian McKenzie and captain Luke Jacobson have both been named to make their injury return on Saturday night when the Gallagher Chiefs take on the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato (7.05pm kick-off).
Jacobson has been unavailable since picking up a facial injury in the Round 2 victory over the Crusaders, while McKenzie missed last week’s trip to Fiji to face the Drua after succumbing to a knee injury in the final stages of the Round 3 victory over the Brumbies.
There are several changes in the forward pack, with Brodie McAlister, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown all joining Jacobson as new faces in the run-on side.
Xavier Roe and Shaun Stevenson start this week after coming off the bench against the Drua, with McKenzie replacing Josh Jacomb in the No.10 jersey.
Off the bench Tonga-born forward Samipeni Finau will make his 50th appearance for the Gallagher Chiefs.
Round 5 is DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘Super Kids’ Round and will see the Gallagher Chiefs wear their special edition Black Panther jersey, with fans encouraged to wear dark colours and ‘black out’ the stadium.
The Blues will also wear a Spider-Man inspired jersey.
The game forms part of a bumper match day at FMG Stadium Waikato, which begins with Chiefs Manawa hosting Hurricanes Poua at 4.35pm. Click here to buy tickets.
In addition to the on-field action, there will be competitions for the best dressed Super Kid, two fan zones in action, a Super Kids obstacle race and an augmented reality prize drop, featuring over 50 giveaways for fans.
Local act White Chapel Jak will also perform pre-match and at half-time.
Gallagher Chiefs v Blues, Saturday March 15, 7.05pm kick-off at FMG Stadium Waikato
1. Ollie Norris
2. Brodie McAlister
3. George Dyer
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Tupou Vaa’i
6. Simon Parker
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Luke Jacobson (c)
9. Xavier Roe
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Leroy Carter
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Anton Lienert Brown
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Aidan Ross
18. Sione Ahio
19. Jimmy Tupou
20. Samipeni Finau (50th Gallagher Chiefs game)
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Daniel Rona
Gallagher Chiefs injury update ahead of Round 5
- Josh Lord, Knee, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
- Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season
- Kaleb Trask, Hamstring, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
- Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Long-term
- Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
- Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Long-term
- Wallace Sititi, Knee, Long-term
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shoulder, Short-term
