Settled Chiefs to tackle Blues; NZ Herald

Prop Ben Tameifuna returns to the Chiefs' starting XV to settle a scrum that was shaky last week against the Lions. Photo / Getty

The Chiefs have responded to their biggest victory of the season with one of their most settled team selections for Friday night's clash with the Blues.

After chopping and changing throughout the campaign, a lack of new injuries and an improved performance in last week's win over the Lions has seen Dave Rennie opt for three personnel changes for the match in New Plymouth.

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There is a minor adjustment to the backline that helped produce six tries in the 38-8 victory over the Lions, with Charlie Ngatai failing to recover from the tight calf that forced him from the field at halftime.

Tim Nanai-Williams will move from fullback to centre in Ngatai's absence, while Bundee Aki comes into the team and second five-eighth and Tom Marshall switches to fullback.

The Chiefs have made two changes to their forward pack for the New Zealand conference showdown, with prop Ben Tameifuna coming into the side to settle a shaky scrum and Michael Fitzgerald replacing the injured Ross Filipo at lock.

Josh Hohneck move to the reserves where he is joined by Liam Squire, who has returned from concussion, and Anton Lienert-Brown.

The match will be the Chiefs' first at Yarrow Stadium since adopting the Taranaki province and, with the Blues coming off an impressive victory against the Reds, the local crowd can expect an intense encounter.

"It is exciting for us to play our first home game in Taranaki and I know the boys are keen to earn the respect of the locals by putting on a good performance,' Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said.

"Traditionally our games against the Blues have been real ding-dong battles and, with not much between any team in the New Zealand Conference, it is a massive game for both sides.'

Chiefs team to play Blues in New Plymouth on Friday night:

Tom Marshall, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Gareth Anscombe, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Nathan Harris, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh, Josh Hohneck, Matt Symons, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Andrew Horrell, Anton Lienert-Brown.

- APNZ

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 Should be an electric game! But which Blues team will show up, the ponderous disjointed one or the one we saw last weekend?  Go Chiefs!

Indeed, be a tough one to pick as you said the Blues could punish the Chiefs. Or the Chiefs could hammer the Blues. This is going to be a smash up derby. Could go either way Cruden being out makes a difference, Blues have an awesome back-line if they crank with Nonu and his golden slippers the Chiefs might struggle. Blues vs Chiefs will be  a great battle, blues pack vs chiefs pack. Clash of the titans this one. Cant wait.

Go Blues give the chiefies a severe rugby lesson. I am shouting for the Blues in support of Cloudy.Blues have been finding some form so a win against the Chiefs is definitely on. 

Beeno: I am told that patients often fall for their doctors so no one on here is surprised about your feelings for Cloudy. 
I most likely will be travelling during the Chiefs v Blues game . I  hope wardad is available to keep you inline during the live chat & bantering Some severe correction may be called for & since you have stopped displaying Sasuke San in his "spiffy blue overalls" I fear he may not be up to the task.

 Ah Jw yoiu remind me re brother saSUE. A finer hatter you will not find.
Watch out for the Blues is my warning JW.You do realsie that nz teams will be playing eachother. Means there will be those going down.

 No worries Beeno we have let the ref know the desired outcome (a draw with bonus points for both sides). Ps don't let boklogic know the fix is in.

 J W THE FIX WAS NEVER OFF. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist that one beeno, lol
Should be one of the best games this weekend - if you are not a fan of 10 man rugby that is