Taukei’aho to make long-awaited Chiefs return

February 26, 2025
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Ultimate Rugby

Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has been named to make his return from a long injury layoff in Saturday’s clash against the Brumbies in Hamilton, while All Blacks representatives Cortez Ratima and Samipeni Finau return to the starting line-up.

Taukei’aho has been included on the bench to play his first game since suffering a ruptured Achilies tendon in the 2024 semi-final victory over the Hurricanes.

Saturday’s match forms part of a bumper day at FMG Stadium Waikato, as the club hosts the inaugural Rugby and Rhythms event which will see top New Zealand artists – including Kora, Ladi 6, Muroki, Hollie Smith and Bailey Wiley – perform in between Chiefs Manawa’s season-opening match against Matatū (2.05pm kick-off) and the Chiefs v Brumbies clash (4.35pm kick-off).

The side includes a handful of changes from that which beat the Crusaders 49-24 last week, including the return of Quinn Tupaea to the run-on 15 in place of the injured Rameka Poihipi.

Scans this week confirmed Poihipi will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in Round 2.

After making his club debut last Friday, forward Jahrome Brown will line up against his former Brumbies teammates for the first time, while Tupou Vaa’i captains the side in place of usual skipper Luke Jacobson, who misses this week due to a facial injury.

Manasa Matele will debut on the wing in place of fellow rookie Leroy Carter, who is rested this week, while Naitoa Ah Kuoi returns to the side after missing Round 2.

“We’re all really pleased for Samisoni. He’s worked hard to get back around the target date we had set and it’s exciting to have him available again,” head coach Clayton McMillan said.

“Manasa gets his chance after working hard through the pre-season and it’s a great opportunity for him to have his first run in front of our fans at FMG Stadium Waikato.

“It’s going to be a huge day for the club, with the Manawa playing before us and the Rugby and Rhythms Festival happening around it all.”

The match also falls within DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s Culture Round and will see the Chiefs don a reimagined jersey named Rau Huia.

The design combines elements of both the club’s home and training jerseys and acknowledges the six 2024 provincial unions – Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, King Country, Thames Valley and Counties Manukau – which made up Chiefs Country at the time.

After the jersey was designed the club welcomed a seventh provincial partner in Ngāti Porou East Coast Rugby Union.

Tickets available here include entry to the festival and both rugby matches, with gates open from 12:00pm and the first act starting at 12:15pm.

All Chiefs memberships, including First Half, Student & Family passes, include a ticket to the festival.