Putāruru-born forward Jahrome Brown will make his Gallagher Chiefs debut in the club’s first home game of the season against the Crusaders on Friday night (7.05pm kick-off, matchday sponsor Tuatahi First Fibre), while midfielder Quinn Tupaea is poised to earn his 50th cap.
Brown has been named in the run-on side for the New Zealand derby match at FMG Stadium Waikato, after joining his hometown club over the off-season following six seasons across the Tasman with the Brumbies.
The 28-year-old will become the third player to be added to the Gallagher Chiefs honour role in 2025, following the club debuts of Brodie McAlister and Leroy Carter in last week’s 25-14 victory over the Blues in Auckland.
Tupaea meanwhile will bring up 50 games if used off the bench, in what is his sixth season in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific.
“We’re really excited for Jahrome to have the opportunity to put on the jersey for the first time and to do it in front of whānau and friends at home as well,” head coach Clayton McMillan said.
“At the same time it’s also a special milestone in line for Quinn, especially given some of the adversity he’s had to overcome to get there.
“The Crusaders are always formidable and showed their grit and class last week against the Hurricanes. We anticipate another huge battle.”
With Etene Nanai-Seturo sidelined by a hamstring injury, Emoni Narawa starts on the wing, joining fellow All Blacks representative Anton Lienert-Brown in returning to the run-on side after making bench cameos in Round 1.
Bradley Slater starts at hooker with McAllister reverting to the bench for the clash against his former club, while Tupou Vaa’i starts after playing the final 29 minutes against the Blues last Saturday.
Tickets to the match can be purchased here
Gallagher Chiefs v Crusaders, Friday 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato
- Aidan Ross
- Bradley Slater
- George Dyer
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Simon Parker
- Jahrome Brown (Gallagher Chiefs debut)
- Luke Jacobson
- Xavier Roe
- Josh Jacomb
- Leroy Carter
- Rameka Poihipi
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Emoni Narawa
- Damian McKenzie
- Brodie McAllister
- Jared Proffit
- Reuben O’Neill
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Samipeni Finau
- Cortez Ratima
- Quinn Tupaea
- Gideon Wrampling
Gallagher Chiefs injury update ahead of Round 2
| Player | Injury | Estimated return timeframe |
| 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 |
| Samisoni Taukei’aho | Achillies | Mid-term (4-6 weeks) |
| Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi | Shoulder | Short-term |
| Malachi Wrampling | Knee | Short-term |
