Piri bracketed at No 9
16 Apr 2009
Keo.co.za brings you the latest from New Zealand’s Super 14 franchises.
Piri bracketed at No 9
Piri Weepu has been bracketed at scrumhalf for the Hurricanes’ clash against the Stormers in Wellington on Saturday.
Canes coach Colin Cooper has made four changes to the side that pipped the Western Force 28-27 in Perth last weekend while Weepu could return to the No 9 jersey if his hamstring passes a fitness test.
Weepu has been bracketed with Alby Mathewson at his preferred position of scrumhalf instead of flyhalf. Willie Ripia will start at No 10 following a solid outing against the Force.
Cooper has rotated his flankers, with openside Karl Lowe and blindside Faifili Levave making way. Scott Waldrom returns from an abdominal strain in the No 7 jersey while sevens star Victor Vito will run at blindside.
The other two changes see the return of the Ellison brothers.
Tamati Ellison will start in the unfamiliar position of right wing in place of Zac Guildford, while brother Jacob comes in at loosehead prop in place of John Schwalger.
Hurricanes – 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu/Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So’oialo (c), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jacob Ellison.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Mathewson/Daniel Kirkpatrick, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Zac Guildford.
Chiefs shuffle pack for Cheetahs
The Chiefs have rearranged their tight five for their match against the Cheetahs in Kimberley on Saturday.
All Blacks lock Kevin O’Neill comes back into the second row after an ear infection ruled him out of the win over the Lions.
Ben May switches over to the looshead prop side with James McGougan getting a start at tighthead while the impressive Sona Taumalolo drops down to the bench this week.
Young wing Tim Mikkelson gets his first start on the right wing.
The injured Sosene Anesi didn’t make the lineup as the Chiefs continue to have shortages with their wings, but in some good news for the Chiefs All Blacks centre Richard Kahui has overcome a sore hip to hold his place in the team.
Chiefs – 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Subs: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Jackson Willison.
10 Comments
16 Apr 2009, 08:57 am
a januarie clone
16 Apr 2009, 10:04 am
Even with clipped wings,
the Chiefs still have
a formidable backline
16 Apr 2009, 11:30 am
#2 scar:
Agreed. Callum Bruce has been playing outstanding Rugby this year, reads the game extremely well, and creates holes allover the place for the rest to run into.
Serious contender of a All Black callup.
16 Apr 2009, 12:41 pm
This is a near Full Strength line-up for the Hurricanes (Bless Them).
Capt Rodney will unleash hell upon the Storm Boys.
16 Apr 2009, 14:07 pm
#4 cane:
Cannot agree more.
Love watching The Hurricanes when they hit their straps, and i have a feeling the Stormers are in for a Beating.
16 Apr 2009, 14:12 pm
#3 FootSoldier: My youngest loves the chiefs because of Callum Bruce, of course his name is Callum, and he will not miss the team with Callum in
16 Apr 2009, 14:17 pm
#6 Sharksgirl:
Shame thats really cute. And a every nice name if i may say so.
Well he can be proud and look up at him cause Bruce is playing some outstanding footie, he’s been a real threat to any defence this year.
Must some i have loved watching The Chiefs play for some years now, all they needed was a better tight 5 and they seem to have found that this year.
16 Apr 2009, 14:20 pm
#6 Sharksgirl:
You should get him a Chiefs jersey, even if its a New Zealand team or player its always good for young ones to have Heros.
16 Apr 2009, 14:33 pm
#8 FootSoldier: I also enjoy the Chiefs and always have, also like the Canes. That is actually a very good idea, would they have Callum Bruce’s jersey, ’cause I see the NZ teams have their names on the back that would actually be good. I will go surfing immediately!
Cane if you are here, how can I get hold of a CHief’s jersey?
16 Apr 2009, 14:41 pm
#9 Sharksgirl:
Getting a Chiefs jersey should’t be hard at all, they should sell them at any sports store or even at the sports store by The Shark Tank.
But i doubt that you would be able to get 1 with the players names on, that gets done by the teams themselves to help us and the commentators identify the players, you’ll have to have that done somewhere.
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