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The Chiefs had no trouble smashing the Kings in the third week of Super Rugby, recording a 34-point win over the reborn franchise.
Final score
Kings 24
Chiefs 58
The Kings will return from their bye tonight, hosting the Chiefs inside Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Join The Roar for all the tries and highlights starting with a 12:05am (AEDT) kickoff.
The Kings have had a shaky start in their return to Super Rugby with a pre-season full of uncertainty and a revolving door of staff and players. They returned to the comp with their first game in the top tier since 2013 in Round 1, suffering a debilitating 43-8 loss at the hands of the Sharks.
With the early bye under their belts, the Kings will be looking to settle into a rhythm and kick start their season from home.
The Chiefs are coming into the fixture off the back of a stunning four-point loss to the Lions, their first ever loss to the Johannesburg outfit.
Despite the loss last week, the Chiefs are looking strong in the early portions of the season after a big win over seven time champions the Crusaders in the first week.
Both sides have been busy midweek with 14 changes between them already announced for game day, the Chiefs sporting six changes in the forward pack alone.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has brought in a completely new front row with Mitchell Graham, Nathan Harris and Siate Tokolahi to pack down at the front for their first starts of the season.
Elsewhere in the forwards lineup, Brodie Retallick will be missing in action for over a month after suffering a rib injury in last week’s loss to the Lions. Retallick will be replaced by Johan Bardoul in the second row next to Michael Allardice.
New Zealand born Japanese captain Michael Leitch will bind in at the back with the No.8 jersey, while young gun Taleni Seu will be slotting in at blindside flanker.
The Chiefs haven’t limited their changes to the forwards though with a couple of substitutes in the back line, including former NRL player Glen Fisiiahi making his run on debut in just his second game of Super Rugby. All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been moved to the bench, handing Brad Weber his first start of 2016 at halfback.
Two new players will round out the Chiefs reserves with New Zealand under 20s skipper Atu Moli and lock James Tucker making their first appearances.
For the Kings, Edgar Marutlulle and Jacobie Adriaanse fit into a revamped front row and hooker and tighthead respectively. Adriaanse is returning after suffering a heavy concussion in a pre-season warm up match.
Stefan Watermeyer will jump into outside centre in place of the absent JP du Plessis, Louis Fouche will join him in the backline, moving Elgar Watts to the reserves and claiming flyhalf as his own.
Prediction
The Chiefs have been a very strong presence in Super Rugby in recent years, winning consecutive competitions in 2012 and ’13, and will no doubt be up in the finals come season’s end. Especially coming up against a newly reinstated Kings side that are still trying to find their feet in the big leagues, the Chiefs should take the points here and probably the bonus point to boot.
Chiefs 38, Kings 10.
Can the Southern Kings record an upset win in front of a home crowd to kickstart their season? Or will the Chiefs run riot over the newbies and catapult themselves up the standings? Find out tonight (this morning) from 12:05am (AEDT) on The Roar.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.