Official team lists and injury news for NZ teams in this week's round of Super Rugby Pacific.
Hurricanes v Chiefs
2:25pm Saturday, April 15
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Fresh following their bye week, the unbeaten Chiefs have kept changes to a minimum for their blockbuster Super Rugby Pacific showdown against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Both sides are locked on 27 points, but the Chiefs have a game in hand, with the Hurricanes due their bye week next round.
Coach Clayton McMillan has opted for continuity with the only changes being in the front row, and the return of All Black Pita Gus Sowakula to the starting side.
Sowakula forms an all-All Black loose forward trio, alongside No.8 Luke Jacobson and co-captain Sam Cane.
McMillan is looking forward to the clash between the competition's form teams.
"The team is looking forward to getting back out on the field this weekend," he said. "They have returned to work fresh and eager to get back into the grind.
"We have prepared well for the Hurricanes, they are a formidable team, have the best stats in a number of key areas, sit top of the table, and have our full respect.
"We are happy with how we are tracking, but know we have a lot more left in us, and this week's game is an opportunity to take another step forward. It will be a real arm wrestle and one I know both teams will be up for."
Hurricanes: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Asafo Aumua, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Dominic Bird, 6-Devan Flanders, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Cameron Roigaard, 10-Aidan Morgan, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14-Julian Savea, 15-Josh Moorby
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-TK Howden, 20-Brayden Iose, 21-Peter Lakai, 22-Jamie Booth, 23-Harry Godfrey
Chiefs: 1-Aiden Ross, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3-Goerge Dyer, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa’i, 6-Pita Gus Sowakula, 7-Sam Cane (CC), 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Brad Weber (CC), 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Daniel Rona, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-John Ryan, 19-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20-Samipeni Finau, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Peniasi Malimali
