LIVE Update : Chiefs v Highlanders - Super Rugby Aotearoa

Highlanders Super rugby head coach Aaron Mauger has brought Josh Ioane back into the matchday 23 and named a largely unchanged team from last Sunday’s close loss to the Hurricanes for the Chiefs this week.

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Ioane, who withdrew before the round one match against the Chiefs with a reaggravated groin strain the injury, will get his first taste of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Match Details: Sunday 19 July, 3:35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

 

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

Played: 34

 

Won: Chiefs 18, Highlanders 15, 1 draw

 

Last match: Highlanders 28 Chiefs 27

 

Watch: Sky Sport 1

The Chiefs are 0-and-4 and the Highlanders are 1-and-3. Uncharacteristically the Chiefs have struggled to score tries in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. They’ve only bagged four and a penalty try, and it’s been a real work on for Chiefs attack coach Roger Randle who addressed the issue this week. The Highlanders pushed the Crusaders and got close to the Hurricanes last week, so this should be a real tight battle on Sunday, no different to their first encounter. Both sides have been close to several wins but haven’t been able to go all the way. We suspect it will be another tight one in Hamilton.

 

What's the Chiefs v Highlanders team news?

Chiefs: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Sean Wainui, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Alex Nankivell, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 10. Kaleb Trask, 9. Brad Weber, 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 5. Mitchell Brown 6. Lachlan Boshier 7. Sam Cane (capt) 8. Pita Gus Sowakula.

Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho 17. Reuben O’Neill 18. Ross Geldenhuys 19. Adam Thompson 20. Mitchell Karpik 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Quinn Tupaea.

Highlanders: 15. Michael Collins, 14. Josh McKay, 13. Rob Thompson, 12. Patelesio Tomkinson, 11. Scott Gregory, 10. Mitch Hunt, 9. Aaron Smith (co-captain), 1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Ash Dixon (co-captain), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Paripari Parkinson, 5. Jack Whetton, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dillon Hunt, 8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.

Replacements: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Ethan De Groot, 18. Jeff Thwaites, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Jesse Parete, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Jona Nareki.

Blues v Hurricanes Super Rugby | 2020 July 18th Kick off 7:05pm.

There’s always plenty of spice when the Hurricanes take on the Blues but perhaps none more so than Saturday night when Beauden Barrett appears in the 15 jersey for the Blues instead of the 10 jersey for the Hurricanes.

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Hurricanes v Blues

Saturday 18 July, 7.05pm, 

Sky Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Ben O’Keffee

Played: 34

Won: Hurricanes 17, Blues 16, Drawn 1

Last match: Blues 30, Hurricanes 20 (14 June 2020)

Watch: Sky Sport 1

At the 60-minute mark of their clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch last week, it looked like the Blues were going to be the only unbeaten team left in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. Nothing is ever granted against the Crusaders though and two tries in the final quarter saw the defending champions steal the game late. The loss left the Blues in second spot on the ladder, six points adrift of the Crusaders. The Hurricanes dropped their first two games of the season to the Blues and Crusaders before bouncing back with wins over the Highlanders and Chiefs to sit in third spot on the table.

The Hurricanes set-piece attack has been on fire in Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa. Normally renowned for their electric counterattack and opportunism out wide, the Hurricanes have scored five tries following a put-in to their own scrum this season. That is more than all the other New Zealand teams combined.

Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa points aren’t the only thing on the line at Sky Stadium this Saturday. So too is bragging rights at the Barrett family Christmas lunch with brothers Beauden and Jordie squaring off in the 15 jersey for the first time in their career. The Hurricanes have won two on the trot since Jordie returned from injury in round four while Beauden’s talents need no introducing. The stage is set for an intriguing head-to-head battle between the talent siblings.