Damian McKenzie Returns for Gallagher Chiefs match against Moana Pasifika.

Damian McKenzie will play his first game for the Gallagher Chiefs in 2026 in a rejigged but powerful side to take on Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Friday.

McKenzie missed the opening few rounds of Super Rugby Pacific on paternity leave after the birth of his first child.

It will be McKenzie’s 141st game for the Gallagher Chiefs in a Super Rugby career that dates back to his debut in 2015.  He is third on the Gallagher Chiefs honours board behind Sam Cane, 150 games, and Liam Messam with 183.

McKenzie returns for Super Rugby Club round to drive an international quality backline that will see former Wallaby centre Lalakai Foketi get his first start after he came off the bench against the Crusaders last week.

Cortez Ratima, who announced earlier this week a three-year contract extension with the Gallagher Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby, returns at halfback after the birth of his second son.

It means there are five All Blacks in the backline, alongside Foketi, with the uncapped Liam Coombes-Fabling at fullback in his 11th game for the Gallagher Chiefs.

Xavier Roe is nursing an ankle injury, skipper Luke Jacobson is out with an injured hip and Wallace Sititi has a tight hamstring.

We need to respond after we got a punch in the nose by the Crusaders. And we want to play well as it is our last game at home for a while with the bye and then our two weeks in Australia. – Jono Gibbes, Head Coach Gallagher Chiefs

Tupou Vaa’i will captain the side in a pack that includes fellow All Blacks Samisoni Taukei’aho, Samipeni Finau and Simon Parker.

Combined with the backs, 10 of the starting XV have played international rugby and four of the seven on the bench are All Blacks.

They include Ollie Norris who played three tests last year before a back injury, and then knee surgery, saw him miss last year’s Grand Slam tour and the start of this year’s Super Rugby campaign.

Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Jono Gibbes said the quality of his side showed the respect they have for Moana Pasifika as he juggled injuries and needing to refresh some players with a six day turn around after three derbies. 

“I think we’ve shown already this year that we have faith in our squad, and this week is no different.  We’ve got some injuries, some players have played a lot of rugby already this year, and we have some high-quality players available again.

“So it’s a very strong team for a game where we need to respond after we got a punch in the nose by the Crusaders.   And we want to play well as it is our last game at home for a while with the bye and then our two weeks in Australia.” 

If you want to head to the game this Friday bring the whole Flat or Family with our awesome package deals:

Purchase any 2 Adult Tickets in the Bronze Zone and get up to 4 kids for Free!! once you get to the game head to our concessions to grab the family dinner pack for just $29.50

For the students – claim your Flat Pack – $45 for 4 Greenzone tickets. Our mates at Montana have also introduced an epic Heihei Chicken Student meal deal to keep you fed during the game.

Gallagher Chiefs v Moana Pasifika.

7:05 PM, Friday 6th March, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton