Chiefs team to face Moana Pasifika

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is looking forward to helping his Gallagher Chiefs team showcase Super Rugby Pacific when they return to Rotorua against Moana Pasifika on Saturday. 

“Rotorua is a rugby town, and I know the locals will be keen to see the boys up close,” the former Rotorua Boys High School student said.  “It’s going to be a terrific occasion and one we are really up for.”  

Head Coach Jono Gibbes echoed those sentiments.  “Rotorua has a strong rugby history and strong links to the Chiefs through players like Te Toiroa and Liam Messam, and Clayton McMillan as coach. 

“So it’s good for us to play there and we are definitely treating it as a home game.” 

Tahuriorangi will look to make his impact from the bench in a Gallagher Chiefs team that has been rejigged by Gibbes as some players return from injury, others are nursing injuries and some need a rest. 

“It’s more about who we are able to pick than those that are being left out,” Gibbes said.  “Look at Fiti Sa.  We need to give him another opportunity after he played so well on debut.  So the challenge is configuring a 23 that gives people opportunity, reflects the depth we have, and yet remains extremely competitive.” 

One significant gain for the Gallagher Chiefs this week is the return of All Blacks star Damian McKenzie from concussion in a backline that features Kyle Brown at centre with Reon Paul set to make his debut from the bench.   

Paul is the nephew of All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara and was educated at Rongotai College in Wellington before spending last year at the Blues, without getting any game time.  He has played 19 games for Bay of Plenty in the NPC. 

In the pack, Tyrone Thompson starts at hooker with Samisoni Taukei’aho getting a well-deserved rest.  Regular skipper Luke Jacobson is on the bench with Tupou Vaa’i captaining the side and Simon Parker at No8.  

Did You Know?

● The Gallagher Chiefs have won all eight of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika by an average margin of 40.1 points per game; the Chiefs have scored 50+ points in five of their last six meetings in that span including each of the last three.

● The Gallagher Chiefs have won all four of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika as the away team on the day by an average margin of 30.3 points per game; the Chiefs have conceded only 4.3 points per game across the first halves of those four fixtures.

● The Gallagher Chiefs have won their last two Super Rugby Pacific matches, conceding exactly 14 points on the day in each of those two games; the last time they conceded 14 points or fewer in more consecutive games was a three-match span from June to July in 2017.

● Gallagher Chiefs wing Kyren Taumoefolau has made seven line breaks across his last three Super Rugby Pacific games after making none across his previous three appearances; he also scored two tries against the NSW Waratahs in Round 8 of this season and has scored 11 tries across his last 16 games.

● Gallagher Chiefs vice captain Quinn Tupaea has won 10 turnovers this Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the joint-most of any player in the competition, while his nine jackals are more than any other player.

Starting XV

1. Ollie Norris 

2. Tyrone Thompson 

3. Reuben O’Neill 

4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 

5. Tupou Vaa’i (c) 

6. Samipeni Finau 

7. Jahrome Brown 

8. Simon Parker 

9. Cortez Ratima 

10. Damian McKenzie 

11. Kyren Taumoefolau 

12. Quinn Tupaea (vc) 

13. Kyle Brown 

14. Leroy Carter 

15. Liam Coombes-Fabling 

Reserves 

16. Brodie McAlister  

17. Jared Profitt  

18. Sione Ahio 

19. Fiti Sa 

20. Luke Jacobson (vc) 

21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 

22. Josh Jacomb 

23. Reon Paul* 

Players unavailable due to injury:  

Daniel Rona – hamstring – Rd 14 

Lalakai Foketi – hand – Round 11-13 

Wallace Sititi – Hamstring – Rd 8-10 

Benét Kumeroa – Ankle – Rd 12 

Etene Nanai-Seturo – Foot – TBC

Emoni Narawa – Foot – TBC

Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Season