The Gallagher Chiefs are gearing up for their final pre-season match against Moana Pasifika this Saturday at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe. Head Coach Clayton McMillan has announced that several All Blacks, including Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, and Tupou Vaa’i, will see game time as the team fine-tunes its preparations ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific season opener.
Key Highlights:
- All Blacks Return: McKenzie, Ratima, and Vaa’i are set to make their first appearances of 2025, bringing experience and leadership to the squad.
- Additional Talent: Players such as Emoni Narawa, Kaleb Trask, Jacob Norris, Samipeni Finau, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, and Malachi Wrampling are also slated for their season debuts, adding depth and versatility to the lineup.
- Match Structure: The game will consist of two 40-minute halves, providing a robust platform for assessing player combinations and match fitness.
This fixture serves as the final tune-up before the Chiefs commence their Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Blues on Saturday, February 15, at Eden Park.
Squad Details:
First Half Starters:
- Jared Proffit
- Bradley Slater
- Sione Ahio
- Naitoa Ah Kuoi
- Josh Lord
- Simon Parker
- Jahrome Brown
- Luke Jacobson
- Xavier Roe
- Josh Jacomb
- Leroy Carter
- Rameka Poihipi
- Daniel Rona
- Gideon Wrampling
- Kaleb Trask
First Half Impact Players:
- Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia
- Ollie Norris
- Benet Kumeroa
- Reuben O’Neill
- James Thompson
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- Jacob Norris
- Charlie Sinton
- Gibson Popoalii
- Peniasi Malimali
Second Half Starters:
- Ollie Norris
- Taine Kolose
- Reuben O’Neill
- Jimmy Tupou
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Samipeni Finau
- Malachi Wrampling
- Kaylum Boshier
- Cortez Ratima
- Damian McKenzie
- Quinn Tupaea
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Manasa Mataele
- Emoni Narawa
- Josh Jacomb
Second Half Impact Players:
- Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia
- Benet Kumeroa
- Manaaki Selby-Rickit
- James Thompson
- Jacob Norris
- Charlie Sinton
- Gibson Popoalii
- Peniasi Malimali
- Oscar Koller
Tickets for the match are available, with adult entry priced at $20 and $10 for children. For fans unable to attend in person, the game will be streamed live exclusively on Chiefs Pass.
As the Chiefs finalize their pre-season preparations, this match offers a crucial opportunity to integrate returning All Blacks and assess the squad’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
Read more: https://chiefs.co.nz/all-blacks-group-set-for-game-time-in-second-pre-season-clash/
