Sunwolves
17
Match Complete
Chiefs
43
| 79 | K. Trask | |||
| 78 | K. Trask | |||
| 77 | Q. Tupaea | |||
| S. Nakano | 73 | |||
| 42 | D. McKenzie | |||
| 42 | L. Boshier | |||
| J. Bregvadze | 40 | |||
| 34 | D. McKenzie | |||
| 33 | D. McKenzie | |||
| 23 | B. Weber | |||
| 15 | D. McKenzie | |||
| 14 | S. Stevenson | |||
| 10 | S. Alaimalo | |||
| G. April | 7 | |||
| G. April | 6 |
| 3 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Sunwolves have the unenviable task of hosting the in-form Chiefs in a Saturday arvo Super Rugby clash. Join The Roar for live scores from 2:45pm (AEDT).
The Chiefs were superb last week in their home win over the defending champions, the Crusaders. Warren Gatland’s men put in an impenetrable second-half performance to secure a memorable come-from-behind victory.
Damian McKenzie looked far sharper than you’d expect from someone who hadn’t played at the highest level in about ten months, while Aaron Cruden both directed the attack well and was admirable in defence.
The Sunwolves, coming off the bye, at least won’t have to worry about Cruden today. He’s been rested for the trip to Tokyo, with Kaleb Trask taking over chief playmaking duties and the no.10 jersey.
McKenzie will be an ever-present threat, though, having been named at fullback for his second match of the year. He’ll likely handle goalkicking duties with Cruden out of the side.
The home team are undefeated so far this season, having sprung a shock win over the Melbourne Rebels in Round 1 before getting a week off. With that form under their belts, and with their last meeting with today’s opponents ending in one of the boilovers of last season, the Sunwolves will be hoping to conjure another surprise win.
Ben Te’o’s performance will be crucial if that is to eventuate. The former England international is the one player who can properly match the Chiefs’ class, and could cause some damage in midfield with Anton Lienert-Brown, like Cruden, getting a week off.
Prediction
As good as it was to see the Sunwolves start their final Super Rugby season with a win, repeating the dose this week will be too tough an ask. The Chiefs are a classy side, and will deal with their Japanese opponents without much trouble.
Chiefs by plenty.
Kick-off: 2:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Sunwolves $9.30, Chiefs $1.06
Sunwolves squad
15. James Dargaville, 14. Siosaia Fifita, 13. Keisuke Moriya, 12. Ben Te’o, 11. Tautalatasi Tasi, 10. Garth April, 9. Naoto Saito, 8. Jake Schatz, 7. Mitch Jacobson, 6. Shunsuke Nunomaki, 5. Kotaro Yatabe, 4. Michael Stolberg, 3. Conraad van Vuuren, 2. Jaba Bregvadze, 1. Jarred Adams
Reserves
16. Efi Ma’afu, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Justin Downey, 20. Tevita Tupou, 21. Takahiro Kimura, 22. Shogo Nakano, 23. JJ Engelbrecht
Chiefs squad
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Tyler Ardron, 5. Michael Allardice, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Dylan Nel, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Kaleb Trask, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Mitchell Brown, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Tiaan Falcon, 23. Orbyn Leger
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The MOST impressive thing about this game was the size of the crowd.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Such a massive opportunity lost. NZR and RA should join forces with the big money in Japan an try to create the best league in the world the biggest crowds and highest salaries.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A bit lower quality in the second half, but overall a good watching experience. The score got a bit blown out with a couple of ate Chiefs tries just before the buzzer. Brad Webber and DMac were very impressive today. Would Tyler Ardron be an All Black if he was a Kiwi? That Japanese "SBW" looks pretty promising.
kiwitruck
Roar Rookie
18,700 crowd.....no other franchise will get that crowd this weekend....and They will be kicked out at the end of the season......says a lot about the brains trust at Super Rugby
79
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Good effort by the Sunwolves against one of the form teams here. I just get angry every time I see them play remembering it is their last season. They really are starting to play better as well...
78
77
73
42
42
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
This game is a lot better than I expected. Pretty good code all over the field. The difference so far is that the Chiefs are more ruthless when they get opportunities. Still impressive to see Siunwolves attack with so much purpose. What to say about the Japanese crowd? Best rugby fans in the world IMHO. So classy and positive.
40
34
33
23
15
14
10
7