Off-season recruits Brodie McAlister and Leroy Carter have both been named to earn their first caps for the Gallagher Chiefs in the club’s season opener against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night.
In a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final, this opening round match is set to attract a big crowd to Eden Park with thousands of Chiefs fans expected to make the journey over the Bombays. With two teams set to be stacked with All Blacks and fresh talent, the Saturday night fixture is one not to miss.
McAlister, with his 41 Crusaders caps, will debut between Ollie Norris and George Dyer in the front row with All Black Josh Lord returning from injury in the five jersey alongside Naitoa Ah Kuoi. The forward pack is rounded out with the loose forward trio of Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier and Luke Jacobson.
Xavier Roe and Josh Jacomb combine in the nine and ten jerseys. Etene Nanai-Seturo joins debutant Carter on the wings, with both players boasting NZ Sevens experience. The midfield due consists of Quinn Tupaea, who is nearing his 50th Gallagher Chiefs game, and Daniel Rona. Rounding out the starting 15 is Damian McKenzie who will slot into the 15 jersey.
The side is once again captained by Jacobson, who will represent the club for the 79th time in the season-opener.
Head coach Clayton McMillan said “They’re a quality side with multiple threats, and if anything, look stronger on paper than they did in 2024 which will make them an incredibly tough team to crack. But we are looking forward to the challenge and trust the work we’ve put in during pre-season has set us up well for the game this week and the season ahead”.
“With our Test players only rejoining us late in the pre-season, we’ve opted to bring the majority of them back via the bench. That rewards those who have worked relentlessly over the last few months, and allows us to inject some experience later into the game. It’s a long season and a particularly tough opening six weeks leading into our bye. We will need to be smart around how we manage our squad and our selections this week are a reflection of that”.
Tickets to the match can be purchased here
- Ollie Norris (54)
- Brodie McAlister *
- George Dyer (37)
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi (62)
- Josh Lord (22)
- Simon Parker (22)
- Kaylum Boshier (29)
- Luke Jacobson (78) Captain
- Xavier Roe (31)
- Josh Jacomb (4)
- Etene Nanai-Seturo (60)
- Quinn Tupaea (48)
- Daniel Rona (23)
- Leroy Carter *
- Damian McKenzie (126)
- Bradley Slater (60)
- Aidan Ross (88)
- Reuben O’Neill (29)
- Tupou Vaa’i (58)
- Samipeni Finau (45)
- Cortez Ratima (42)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (120)
- Emoni Narawa (33)
*Gallagher Chiefs debut
Players unavailable due to injury:
– Wallace Sititi
– Liam Coombes-Fabling
– Fiti Sa
– Samisoni Taukei’aho
– Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
