Halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi returns to the Chiefs bench against his former team, the Hurricanes. Photo / Photosport
Halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi returns to the Chiefs bench against his former team, the Hurricanes. Photo / Photosport
FMG Stadium Waikato will prove a fortress for the Hurricanes this Friday as Gallagher Chiefs fans swarm the venue with over 80 per cent of tickets sold already.
The home crowd has been an advantage for the Gallagher Chiefs with them yet to lose on their turf this season.
Itis especially formidable for the Hurricanes who have been unable to tip the home side in Hamilton since 2020.
“The team can’t wait to play at home in front of our passionate support base. We know there will be a lot of interest in the game given the Hurricanes’ success this year, and I’m sure those who get along will be treated to an epic battle,” Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said.
“There are some excellent individual matchups, and we were collectively beaten to the punch in our first encounter. You want to be playing your best in these derby fixtures and at the business end of the season, so there will be no lack of motivation from either side.”
With only two regular season games remaining, McMillan is cementing combinations with no changes made to the starting lineup from the previous round.
“We have selected a largely unchanged side from our game against the Rebels. Although we made progress in a couple of areas, we were largely underwhelmed by our own performance and continuity of selection gives an opportunity for those involved to make the necessary shifts required,” said McMillan.
Changes on the bench see the return of talented hooker Tyrone Thompson, exciting rookie Sione Ahio at prop and the experienced Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi as the reserve halfback.
