The Gallagher Chiefs will again unleash a young backline against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday with three of the four outside backs 23-years-old or younger.
Left wing Liam Coombes-Fabling is the odd man out at 27, with centre Kyle Brown 23, while right wing Kyren Taumoefolau and fullback Isaac Hutchinson are 22.
Hutchinson debuted against the Drua at Super Round in Christchurch and Brown has played six games, all this year. Taumoefolau is more experienced having played five Tests for Tonga and 21 Super Rugby games for Moana Pasifika before he joined the Gallagher Chiefs.
But the trio are still the fresh faces in the Gallagher Chiefs who will again look to launch attacks from the back against the Reds on Friday.
“Roger is one of the best attack coaches I’ve had and we are pretty lucky to have him,” says Kyren Taumoefolau.
Gibbes praised the depth of his squad and the attitude of his squad and wider training group players, as others like Daniel Sinkinson and Fiti Sa have also madesuccessful debuts this year. “They have been awesome. A few have taken their chances through injuries and made a great fist of it.” Hutchinson personified that with a superb debut against the Drua in Christchurch after a long time on the sidelines recovering from a devastating knee injury.
“That was a pretty awesome first impression,” Gibbes said of Hutchinson’s performance in the Super Round. “It’s a real testament to his attitude and his outlook on life, and the support he had in Canterbury initially and now up here with the Chiefs, that he’s had a successful rehab.”
Taumoefolau said the backs were enjoying the confidence the coaches have put in them and praised attack coach Roger Randle’s work, especially with his vision from set phases.
“Roger is one of the best attack coaches I’ve had and we are pretty lucky to have him,” Taumoefolau said. The backs will again play behind an All Blacks ladened pack – with Luke Jacobson back at skipper and openside flanker after he missed Super Round. All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho is on the bench alongside All Blacks halfback Cortez Ratima.
Xavier Roe starts at No9 with Damian McKenzie again in the driving seat in what could be sweltering conditions in Brisbane.
Gallagher Chiefs fans in Queensland can expect a heated night at Suncorp Stadium, as the team come up against ex-Chief centurion Aidan Ross. Supporters who are wanting to get to the game can access discounted tickets via a Chiefs Away Membership
Gallagher Chiefs v Reds at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Friday May 8.
- Ollie Norris
- Tyrone Thompson
- George Dyer
- Josh Lord
- Tupou Vaa’i (vc)
- Simon Parker
- Luke Jacobson (c)
- Wallace Sititi
- Xavier Roe
- Damian McKenzie
- Liam Coombes-Fabling
- Quinn Tupaea (vc)
- Kyle Brown
- Kyren Taumoefolau
- Isaac Hutchinson
Reserves
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Jared Proffit
- Reuben O’Neill
- Fiti Sa
- Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Cortez Ratima
- Josh Jacomb
- Lalakai Foketi
Unavailable Due to Injury
- Jahrome Brown – Concussion – Round 14
- Kaylum Boshier – Concussion – Round 14
- Michael Loft – Ankle – Round 14-15
- Brodie McAlister – Calf – Round 14
- Samipeni Finau – Quad – Round 14-15
- Daniel Rona – Hamstring – Round 14
- Emoni Narawa – Foot – Round 16-QF
- Leroy Carter – Hamstring – QF
- Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season
