IT IS THE Super Rugby clash we have been waiting for all season: Chiefs v Hurricanes. With the return of Sonny Bill to the Chiefs, who were champions in two of the last three years, they were always going to be formidable but few expected the ‘Canes to be as dominant as they have been.
Sure, the Wellington side is dripping with talent, but they’ve routinely had a strong side only to falter throughout the last few seasons. But this year they have won ten of their first 11 games and face a Chiefs side on Saturday morning who have the second highest points total in the league.
Unfortunately, both sides are missing their key playmakers – both Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett are sidelined with injuries – but their is still an absurd amount of talent on the pitch.
You also have the intriguing subplot of Sonny Bill going up against Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, with the the Chiefs man looking to blast his way into the All Blacks midfield.
There are 13 All Blacks contained in the two starting line-ups, with another on the bench, but there are some scintillating game-breakers among the less heralded guys too.
Both fullbacks have been causing defences serious hassle this year. ‘Canes 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder has been gliding through opposition rearguards like Bubba Watson’s hovercraft while the Chiefs Gloucester-bound counter-attacker, Tom Marshall, has quietly been one of their most consistent threats.
The game kicks off at 8.30… so it’s early but not TOO early. Just don’t do a Groundhog day when the alarm clock goes off at 8.15.
And we didn’t even get to Julian Savea, Cory Jane or Liam Messm!
Hurricanes
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Julian Savea
10. James Marshall
9. TJ Perenara
1. Reggie Goodes
2. Motu Matu’u
3. Ben Franks
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. James Broadhurst
6. Brad Shields
7. Ardie Savea
8. Victor Vito
16. Dane Coles
17. Chris Eves
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Mark Abbott
20. Blade Thompson
21. Chris Smylie
22. Otere Black
23. Rey Lee-Lo
Chiefs
15. Tom Marshall
14. Hosea Gear
13. Charlie Ngatai
12. Sonny Bill Williams
11. James Lowe
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Brad Weber
1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Michael Allardice
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Liam Messam ©
7. Sam Cane
8. Michael Leitch
16. Quentin MacDonald
17. Siate Tokolahi
18. Mitchell Graham
19. Liam Squire
20. Maama Vaipulu
21. Augustine Pulu
22. Andrew Horrell
23. Bryce Heem
