Chiefs team announced to play the Western Force

[Happy]

The Chiefs have announced their team to play the Western Force in Pukekohe at ECOLight Stadium this Friday night at 7.35pm.

Coach Dave Rennie has made a large number of changes to last week’s line up. Prop Ben Afeaki makes his long awaited return from injury and is joined in the front row by Hika Elliot and Pauliasi Manu.

Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow also gets his first start since breaking his jaw and will team up with Gareth Anscombe at first five-eight. Patrick Osborne will start on the wing while two players who have started every game this year, Gareth Anscombe and Asaeli Tikoirotuma move to the bench.
Due to a substantial growing number of injuries in the midfield including Kahui, Horrell, Nanai-Williams and Charlie Ngatai who has not recovered in time with a hamstring injury, Save Tokula will start in the No 13 jersey in his sixth game for the Chiefs.

“We are in the third mini leg of our season which is hugely important. We are well aware of the strength of this Force team. They have beaten the Reds and Crusaders and went close to the Hurricanes, which proves they can travel, so we need to be at our best,” said coach Rennie.

There will be plenty of entertainment for the fans at Pukekohe with giveaways, performances from the Chiefs Cheerleaders and the Chiefs Maori Toa group. The players will also sign autographs after the game.


1. Toby Smith
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke ©
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam
7. Sam Cane
8. Matt Vant Leven
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Gareth Anscombe
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Bundee Aki
13. Save Tokula
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Robbie Robinson

16. Mahonri Schwalger
17. Ben Tameifuna
18. Michael Fitzgerald
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma

[blueandblack]

... The players will also sign autographs after the game. ...

and I'll be driving back to Hamilton as quickly and quietly as possible.

[zimeric]

Must be great having twin andscome's he are quality players
Posted via Mobile Device

[brokendown gunfighter]

and I'll be driving back to Hamilton as quickly and quietly as possible.

I would head in the other direction

[GIGS20]

It seems as though every strong team seems to have bunches of lineup changes for us!

They all talk about a mounting injury toll and not taking us lightly.

How did that go for the Saders and the Reds?

By the way, we're still buggered, but we might be close to putting in two good performances in a row for the first time in six or so years. (no I'm not dreaming, a losing bonus point would count as a good performance against these blokes)

[jargan83]

Chiefs by plenty

[chiraag]

Considering their injuries, that's still a bloody strong looking team and bench!

[SinBin]

..performances from the Chiefs Cheerleaders ..

..

[Happy]

Crusaders fans?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Batto]

We got this !

[shasta]

Crusaders fans?
Posted via Mobile Device

Hope they're not the next lot of the Crusader's Streakers.

[SinBin]

The Chiefs and the Western Force have played each other six times since the Force joined Super Rugby back in 2006 and the Chiefs have won five times.

The last three matches between the Chiefs and the Force have been won by the Chiefs.

As the Chiefs have won 5 out of their six matches between the teams they have won 83% of the clashes.

The average score when the Chiefs play the Western Force is Chiefs 33 Force 19.

The Chiefs have only played the Western Force twice at home in Hamilton and this match will be played in Pukekohe for the first time.

Both of the past two Chiefs home matches were won by the Chiefs and the average score from the two matches is Chiefs 48 Force 25.

The Chiefs are currently in second place - a point behind the Brumbies - and the Force are currently sitting in 13th place.

The Chiefs lead the New Zealand Super Rugby Conference while the Force are last in the Australian Conference.

The Force drew at home last week to the Reds and lost the two matches before last week. Their last victory was at home when they beat the Crusaders in Round 9.

The Chiefs have won their last two matches - against the Rebels and the Sharks - and their last loss was against the Waratahs in Sydney in Round 10.

The Chiefs have used this week to rest and rotate some of the players such as Aaron Cruden who has been named on the replacements bench with Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

Patrick Osborne starts on the wing and Save Tokula comes in at 13 in place of Tim Nanai-Williams and Gareth Anscombe starts at 10 alongside Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

The Force have been able to start Wallabies scrum half Brett Sheehan and Jayden Hayward at fullback.

The Force have been improving in recent weeks but they have only won one match away from home this season and that was in Round 5.

Average score: Chiefs 33 Force 19

Last five results
06 Apr 2012 Chiefs v Force 20-12 Perth
27 Feb 2010 Chiefs v Force 37-19 Perth
06 Mar 2009 Chiefs v Force 31-13 Hamilton
03 May 2008 Chiefs v Force 21-22 Perth
14 Apr 2007 Chiefs v Force 64-36 Hamilton

Chiefs overall record against the Force
Played 6, Wins 5, Losses 1, Draws 0

Match No.: 76. Chiefs v Force
Date : Friday 10 May
Venue : ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
Kick Off local: 19:35
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
TMO : Vinny Munro

Teams

Chiefs

1.Toby Smith , 2.Hika Elliot , 3.Ben Afeaki , 4.Craig Clarke (c) , 5.Brodie Retallick , 6.Liam Messam , 7.Sam Cane , 8.Matt Vant Leven , 9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 10.Gareth Anscombe , 11.Patrick Osborne , 12.Bundee Aki , 13.Save Tokula , 14.Lelia Masaga , 15.Robbie Robinson

Replacements : 16.Mahonri Schwalger , 17.Ben Tameifuna , 18.Michael Fitzgerald , 19.Tanerau Latimer , 20.Augustine Pulu , 21.Aaron Cruden , 22.Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Western Force

1. Pek Cowan ,2. Heath Tessmann,3. Kieran Longbottom,4. Toby Lynn ,5. Sam Wykes,6. Matt Hodgson (c),7. Chris Alcock,8. Ben McCalman ,9. Brett Sheehan,10. Sias Ebersohn,11. Nick Cummins,12. Kyle Godwin,13. Ben Jacobs ,14. Patrick Dellit ,15. Jayden Hayward

Replacements : 16. James Hilterbrand,17. Tetera Faulkner,18. Rory Walton,19. Richard Brown ,20. Alby Mathewson ,21. Junior Rasolea,22. Sam Norton-Knight

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=38948

__________________________________________________ ___________

Sportsbet odds: Chiefs 1.12 Western Force 6.25

[SNOB]

I just hope the boys play with the same amount of belief in them selves as they showed against the Saders and Reds.
TBH a win would be a minor miracle, a draw a damned good result. This is going to be a hard battle and some very bruised body's at the end.
We are starting to see a glimmer of were the rebuilding is taking us.
Roll on game time.

[Elf1]

I would head in the other direction

Me to Hamilton would be pretty dodgy in a Force Shirt

[valzc]

Almost too scared to watch the game this arvo to see which team the Force turns up as. Foley wants to play the same tactics as last week which may work out a bit predictable for the Chiefs. The Force have to show that great defense wall that worked so well, but I hope they watch the Chief"s wings and keep those channels shut down. Up against guys like Anscombe, Cane Bungee Boy are dangerous with the ball. And hopefully -LESS KICKING! THE BALL AWAY!
Go Force!