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Chiefs
23
Match Complete
Highlanders
39
| 70 |  | J. Ioane | ||
| 68 |  | J. Nareki | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 65 | ||
| 57 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 56 | | J. Nareki | ||
| 53 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 52 | | S. Frizell | ||
| 50 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 49 | | F. Fakatava | ||
| 32 | | J. Nareki | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 29 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 28 | ||
| 25 | | J. Ioane | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 21 | ||
| L. Jacobson | | 20 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 14 | ||
| 9 | | J. Ioane | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 1 |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Chiefs will be hoping for a more successful 2021 than their last season as their begin their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign against the Highlanders at home. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm (AEDT).
It was a downright miserable 2020 for the Chiefs, who went the entire Super Rugby Aotearoa season without a win despite coming into the year as one of the strongest Kiwi sides on paper.
Today, they have the chance to ensure we won’t see a repeat of that this year when they host the Highlanders. The Dunedin outfit, however, look a far better side than the one which took to the field last year, properly testing the Crusaders in their season opener.
With Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Brad Weber and Bryn Gatland – who kicked a game-winning field goal for the Landers when these two clashed in Round 1 last year – all lining up in the backline, there’s no shortage of attacking class in the Chiefs’ XV. The question will be whether they can match it up front with the Highlanders beyond the efforts of co-captain and openside flanker Sam Cane.
For the visitors, scrumhalf Aaron Smith moves to the bench, with Folau Fakatava coming into the XV. Keep an eye on the matchup at 10 between Josh Ioane and Gatland, two first-fives really trying to establish themselves in New Zealand rugby.
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.65, Highlanders $2.24 (odds via PlayUp
Chiefs
(15-1): Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Reuben O’Neill
Bench: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Angus Ta’avao, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Xavier Roe, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson
Highlanders
(15-1): Mitchell Hunt, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Josh Ioane, Folau Fakatava, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Jack Regan, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (c), Daniel Lienert-Brown
Bench: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Liam Squire, Aaron Smith (c), Solomon Alaimalo, Hugh Renton
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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.