Josh Jacomb and Damian McKenzie will share the play making duties against the Highlanders on Friday with Jacomb at first five for the Gallagher Chiefs and McKenzie at fullback.
Josh Jacomb and Damian McKenzie will share the play making duties against the Highlanders on Friday with Jacomb at first five for the Gallagher Chiefs and McKenzie at fullback.
It will be Jacomb’s sixth start at first five while former Wallaby Lalakai Foketi is at second five with standout Quinn Tupaea getting a rest having shouldered a massive workload throughout the season.
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Jono Gibbes says the combination of Jacomb and McKenzie as twin playmakers works well.
“Josh and Damian have developed an effective combination that allows us to challenge opposition defenses by utilising two play makers on the field at the same time,” Gibbes said. “It will be important this week against a very combative Highlanders defense that we can shift the point of attack quickly and effectively. We had a tough battle against them in round two and are preparing for more of the same this week at home.”
All Blacks lock Josh Lord is going through the concussion protocol, so Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi will partner Tupou Vaa’i in the second row with an unchanged loose trio behind them. With the return of Samisoni Taukei’aho there are six All Blacks in the Gallagher Chiefs pack and two more on the bench with hooker Brodie McAlister and Samipeni Finau.
Versatile wings Liam Coombes-Fabling and Kyren Taumoefolau have switch sides.
“It will be important this week against a very combative Highlanders defense that we can shift the point of attack quickly and effectively.” – Jono Gibbes, Head Coach Gallagher Chiefs
The Highlanders travel to Hamilton buoyed by a 31-26 win against the Waratahs last weekend and looking to push into the top six – they’re currently seventh with 24 points, three behind the Reds.
But they face an in-form Gallagher Chiefs who are on a six game winning streak – their longest in Super Rugby Pacific since they opened 2023 with 10 straight wins. They have also enjoyed a good run against the Highlanders, winning their last eight games against the Southerners, including their last three matches against in Hamilton.
Another win on Friday will be the Gallagher Chiefs 250th win in Super Rugby, a feat only the Crusaders, Brumbies and Hurricanes have achieved. Fan can be there to celebrate the milestone with options for $10 student tickets in the greenzone, or buy one get one free in bronze allocated seating.
Gallagher Chiefs v Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, Friday May 15.
1. Ollie Norris
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Sione Ahio
4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
6. Simon Parker
7. Luke Jacobson (c)
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Xavier Roe
10. Josh Jacomb
11. Kyren Taumoefolau
12. Lalakai Foketi
13. Kyle Brown
14. Liam Coombes-Fabling
15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Benét Kumeroa
18. George Dyer
19. Fiti Sa
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Daniel Rona
23. Isaac Hutchinson
Unavailable Due to Injury
Jared Proffit – Concussion – Round 15
Josh Lord – Concussion – Round 15
Reuben O’Neill – Concussion – Round 15-16
Emoni Narawa – Foot – Round 16-QF
Leroy Carter – Hamstring – QF
Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – Round 16-QF
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season
