Thompson to debut in Pukekohe showdown
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Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan has named a new-look front row to take on Moana Pasifika this Friday night, while off the bench a club debut looms for Counties Manukau forward James Thompson.
Jared Proffit, Bradley Slater and Reuben O’Neill form the engine room after all sitting out last week’s thrilling 32-31 victory over the Blues in Hamilton, with Kaylum Boshier and Thompson the other new faces added to the group from last week.
Twenty-five-year-old Thompson, who attended St Peter’s College in Cambridge, joined the Chiefs wider squad this past off-season after a prior stint with the Blues.
Originally set to be played in Tonga, the away match against Moana Pasifika will instead be held in Chiefs Country at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, with tickets available here.
Veteran midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will miss the match after being a late withdrawal in Round 5 due to a minor leg injury, while forward Simon Parker is also laid up with a knee issue.
Chiefs v Moana Pasifika, Friday March 21, 7.05pm kick-off at Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
1. Jared Proffit
2. Bradley Slater
3. Reuben O’Neill
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Tupou Vai’i
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Kaylum Boshier
8. Luke Jacobson (c)
9. Xavier Roe
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Leroy Carter
12. Gideon Wrampling
13. Daniel Rona
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Aidan Ross
18. Sione Ahio
19. James Thompson (Chiefs debut)
20. Jahrome Brown
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Quinn Tupaea
Chiefs injury update ahead of Round 6
- Simon Parker, Knee, Short-term
- Anton Lienert-Brown, Leg, Short-term
- Josh Lord, Knee, Mid-term
- Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season
- Kaleb Trask, Hamstring, Mid-term
- Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Long-term
- Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term
- Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Long-term
- Wallace Sititi, Knee, Long-term
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shoulder, Short-term
