Splice Construction Chiefs Development team has been named to play the Blues Development on Friday 22 February at 5.00pm at Pakuranga Rugby Football Club. 

The Splice Construction Chiefs Development side named this week features a number of changes in comparison to their hit out against the University of Waikato Chiefs Under 20’s last Friday at FMG Stadium Waikato. The Splice Construction Chiefs Development side will be without loosehead prop Tevita Mafileo and openside flanker Mitchell Karpik who will take the field for the Gallagher Chiefs. Kobelco Steelers looshead prop Shigure Takao will start with Counties Manukau’s Sean Bagshaw moving onto the bench.

A further reshuffle in the starting forward pack will see a new locking combination of Laghlan McWhannell and Ardmore Marist's Damon Leasuasu. Bay of Plenty’s Aaron Carroll moves from lock to the blindside and Waikato’s Mitch Jacobson will start at openside. Tom Florence will complete the forward pack slotting in at number eight. Only two changes in the backline will see Ardmore Marist's Pisi Leilua start on the left wing and Luteru Laulala start at fullback. 

Joining Bagshaw as new additions on the reserves bench will be Bay of Plenty prop Ross Geldenhuys and loose forward Zane Kapeli as well as Kobelco Steelers midfielder Issie Shige. The side will be co-captained by Bradley Slater and Jack Stratton. 

After a strong performance last Friday in their preseason clash against the Chiefs Development side, Ardmore Marist Hooker Zuriel Togiatama is named off the bench for the Chiefs U20's to face the Blues U20 team on Friday afternoon.  All the best for the Chiefs teams, and in particular the Ardmore Marist and Counties Manukau men involved this week.

Splice Construction Chiefs Development:

1. Shigure Takao (Kobelco Steelers)

2. Bradley Slater (Taranaki) ©

3. Jeff Thwaites (Bay of Plenty)

4. Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato)

5. Damon Leasuasu (Counties Manukau)

6. Aaron Carroll (Bay of Plenty)

7. Mitch Jacobson (Waikato)

8. Tom Florence (Taranaki)

9. Jack Stratton (Waikato) ©

10. Tom Jordan (Waikato)

11. Pisi Leilua (Counties Manukau)

12. Charlie Lawrence (Kobelco Steelers)

13. Matt Garland (Bay of Plenty)

14. Tomoyuki Ochiai (Kobelco Steelers)

15. Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)

Reserves:16. Sekope Lopeti Moli (Waikato)17. Sean Bagshaw (Counties Manukau)18. Ross Geldenhuys (Bay of Plenty)19. Zane Kapeli (Bay of Plenty)20. Ryo Inoue (Kobelco Steelers)21. Xavier Roe (Taranaki)22. Issie Shige (Kobelco Steelers)23. Brandon Mudzekenyedz (Waikato)

Unavailable due to injury: Sue Asomua (Counties Manukau)

Chiefs Management:

Head Coach: Andrew Strawbridge

Coach: Paul Hodder

Coach: Grant Henson

Manager: Paul Galleta and David Fox

Trainer: Toby Banfield

Video Analyst: Mark Roberts

Physio: Teresa Te Tamaki

Article added: Friday 22 February 2019