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Courtesy the Chiefs official website.
The Chiefs squad of 26 travelling to South Africa and Australia is:
Ben Afeaki
Colin Bourke
Luke Braid
Callum Bruce
Craig Clarke
Aled de Malmanche
Mike Delany
Stephen Donald
Hikawera Elliot
Jason Hona
Jarrad Hoeata
Richard Kahui
Tanerau Latimer
Sione Lauaki (captain)
Brendon Leonard
James McGougan
Liam Messam
Tim Nanai-Williams
Kevin O’Neill
Junior Poluleuligaga
Culum Retallick
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Dwayne Sweeney
Sona Taumalolo
Nathan White
Jackson Willison
Non-travelling players are lock Romana Graham, fullback Mils Muliaina, and winger Lelia Masaga.
Winger Jason Hona, who has enjoyed game time with the Chiefs during their preseason campaign, has been called into squad from the Chiefs Wider Training Group. His profile details are listed on www.chiefs.co.nz
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: “it has been pleasing to come through the preseason with no more significant injuries and having shown good progression through our three preseason games. A number of new players have had a lot of game time and that will prepare them well for what is a tough but exciting start to this year.”
The Chiefs depart for South Africa early tomorrow (Sunday 7 February).
In the first round the Chiefs play the Sharks in Durban on Sunday 14 February at 6.10am (NZ time); the next week against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday 20 February at 7.00am; and then in round three take on Western Force in Perth on Sunday 28 February at 12.05am (NZ time).
@robdylan: poluleuligaga (!!!) One of those nightmarish polynesian surnames for the commentators
@bergshark (Comment 1) : just give Hugh another Ballantines and it will be flowing off the tongue
@robdylan: hope hugb will be drinking champagne(ballantines ??:-D ) out of the super14 trophy -in the sharks dressingroom . Hope we have good commentators for sharks games-who are biased to the sharks
@bergshark (Comment 3) : get murray mexted, he worships the Sharks!
@bergshark (Comment 3) : there aren’t any. Stransky and his crew of one-eyed mates hate them for some reason.
Actually, now that I think about it, Cappie isn’t so bad.
this virtually the same the Sharks narrowly beat 22 -15 last year, except for a few names, even last year muliaina was absent. Jp petersien scored 2 tries for the sharks & francois steyn got the 3rd…but the Sharks got three favourable TMO decisions with two very dubious & bryce lawrence helped them out as the Chiefs bombarded their try-line.
They won’t be that lucky this weekend.
@robdylan (Comment 2) : it looks like hugh has been retired. i have heard very little from him.
@Megatron (Comment 6) : i remember the comment that they should all buy lotto tickets
@try time (Comment 7) : mebbe they just have him drying out a little before the season proper gets underway…
@robdylan (Comment 9) : no he never commentated on any currie cup game as far as i can remember. and definitely not on the springboks.
@rekinek (Comment 8) : lol
yeah, TMO saved their gatte that day!
Do we know what kind of form these Chiefs are carrying into the competition?
I must admit, I`m nervous.
@Original Pierre (Comment 12) : they lost all their pre-season games just like you!
@Megatron (Comment 13) : i’m not so clued up with jerseys
– is it chief’s on your pic or crusaders:?:
@rekinek (Comment 14) : the MIGHTY crusaders
@bergshark (Comment 1) : Even the local NZ commentators don’t even try. They usually just call him Junior, or sometimes Junior Polu.
@Megatron (Comment 4) : Yup, except if Wellington/Canes are playing.