A special Fijian homecoming awaits Emoni Narawa in Round 4 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday, while dynamic back Shaun Stevenson makes his return to the Gallagher Chiefs following an early-season stint in Japan.
Suva-born Narawa moves into the fullback role for the clash against the Drua at Churchill Park in Lautoka, replacing Damian McKenzie who is on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in last week’s 49-34 victory over the Brumbies.
The return of Stevenson provides a timely boost to coach Clayton McMillan’s backline stocks, with the 96-game veteran named as part of a bench which includes a debutant in Malachi Wrampling.
Samisoni Taukei’aho starts after making a successful return from a long layoff with an Achilles injury against the Brumbies, joining Ollie Norris, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Kaylum Boshier and Jimmy Tupou as new faces in the run-on pack.
With usual skipper Luke Jacobson still sidelined by a facial injury suffered in Round 2, Tupou Vaa’i captains the side for a second-straight week. Josh Lord is also sidelined after suffering a knee injury against the Brumbies.
“While injuries have forced our hand with a couple of decisions this week, a ‘next man up’ mentality has served the team well to date,” McMillan said.
“The Drua are always a tough opponent and will be further boosted by playing at home this week, so we know we’ve got our work cut out for us.
“We also know from our trip to Lautoka a couple of years ago how special this opportunity is, and as a club we’re looking forward to seeing Fijian rugby fans out in force again.”
The trip marks the ladder-leading Gallagher Chiefs’ first away game since beating the Blues in Auckland back in Round 1.
Gallagher Chiefs v Fijian Drua, Saturday March 8, 4.35pm kick-off at Churchill Park, Lautoka
- Ollie Norris
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- George Dyer
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Tupou Vaa’i (c)
- Samipeni Finau
- Kaylum Boshier
- Jimmy Tupou
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Jacomb
- Leroy Carter
- Quinn Tupaea
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Daniel Rona
- Emoni Narawa
- Bradley Slater
- Jared Proffit
- Reuben O’Neill
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Simon Parker
- Malachi Wrampling (Gallagher Chiefs debut)
- Xavier Roe
- Shaun Stevenson
GALLAGHER CHIEFS INJURY UPDATE AHEAD OF ROUND 4
- Damian McKenzie, Knee, Short term
- Josh Lord, Knee, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
- Luke Jacobson, Facial injury, Short-term
- 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
