Gallagher Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho is set to earn his 100th cap this Anzac Day when the team runs out for a sold-out crowd at Bay Oval.
The iconic Mount Maunganui venue will host its first-ever Super Rugby Pacific fixture when the Gallagher Chiefs face the Western Force on Friday 25 April at 7.05pm in Round 11 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
“Samisoni has earned every one of those 100 caps through commitment to the game and to the team. It’s a special milestone, and to celebrate it on Anzac Day, in front of a sold-out crowd at Bay Oval, makes it all the more meaningful” said Head Coach Clayton McMillan.
Taukei’aho, who debuted for the Chiefs in 2017, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and consistent players in the competition and will lead the side onto the field to mark his centurion appearance at Number 2.
The Gallagher Chiefs will also be boosted by the return of key players from injury.
Wallace Sititi returns to the bench earlier than expected following a long stint on the sideline. As World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, his return is a welcome boost as the competition nears the pointy end of the season.
Kaleb Trask also returns to the bench from injury, adding depth and experience to the backline. Trask, who hails from the Bay of Plenty, will have the honour of pulling on the Gallagher Chiefs Rau Huia jersey in front of a home crowd at Bay Oval.
It has been more than a decade since the Gallagher Chiefs played a regular season fixture in Tauranga with the match being the first time a DHL Super Rugby Pacific game has been played at the iconic Bay Oval.
Gallagher Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said the response from the community has been phenomenal.
“We’re blown away by the support from our Bay of Plenty whānau. To sell out for our return to Tauranga reinforces the region’s appetite for top-tier rugby and shows the strength of local support for the Gallagher Chiefs. We can’t wait to run out in front of a full house.”
Match day sponsor Tauranga Crossing is helping set the stage for a true celebration of rugby, with live entertainment from Cassie Henderson, local food trucks, giveaways, and on-field activations. There will also be a pre-game Anzac Day service with support from the local Returned Services Association (RSA) a flyover of the stadium during the game.
Round 11 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition will kick off at 7:05 PM NZST on Friday 25 April.
Gallagher Chiefs v Western Force, 7.05PM, 25th April 2025, Bay Oval, Tauranga.
- Aidan Ross
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Kaylum Boshier
- Luke Jacobson (C)
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Jacomb
- Daniel Rona
- Quinn Tupaea
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Emoni Narawa
- Shaun Stevenson
Reserves:
- Brodie McAlister
- Ollie Norris
- Reuben O’Neill
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Simon Parker
- Wallace Sititi
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
- Kaleb Trask
Players unavailable due to injury:
- Damian McKenzie, Hand, Returning soon
- Leroy Carter, Foot, Returning soon
- Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Returning soon
- Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term
- Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Long-term
- Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season
