Kiwi Ferns star to start for Chiefs Manawa

The table-topping Chiefs Manawa travel to Palmerston North this week to face the Hurricanes Poua at CET Arena.

The teams last faced in round one of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki with the Chiefs Manawa dominating 46-24 at home.

“The Hurricanes Poua will come at us this week, they need to win,” said Chiefs Manawa head coach Crystal Kaua.

“Our message to our team is we need to be hungrier; we need to want it more, we need to win the 50/50s. We came off the field last week knowing we still have a lot of work to do. We must apply what we know, we must do!”

As they enter the second round of pool play, a few rotations have occurred to the Chiefs Manawa starting lineup, with Kiwi Fern star Apii Nicholls starting at fullback, Japan international Seina Saito shifting to hooker, and Mia Anderson re-claiming the No.6 jersey.

“Seina is a glue player and is a champion of the unseen work which sees her start this week. Also, Apii gets her first start this season. She is dynamic on attack and will bring excitement to the field. Mia has been a constant top performer as have all our loosies, she brings real intent.

“We are happy we have been able to see the depth in our squad over the first three weeks and will continue that this week,” said Kaua.

The match will kick off at 4.35pm this Friday, 22nd March ahead of the Hurricanes match against the Rebels, with both games broadcast live on Sky Sport.

Chiefs Manawa team to face the Hurricanes Poua:
1. Kate Henwood
2. Seina Saito
3. Tanya Kalounivale
4. Charmaine Smith
5. Chelsea Bremner
6. Mia Anderson
7. Kennedy Simon (Captain)
8. Chyna Hohepa
9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
10. Chelsea Semple
11. Ruby Tui
12. Grace Steinmetz
13. Azalleyah Maaka
14.Mererangi Paul
15. Apii Nicholls

Reserves
16. Vici-Rose Green
17. Krystal Murray
18. Bitila Tawake
19 Grace Kukutai
20. Victoria Edmonds
21 Ariana Bayler
22. Kiriana Nolan
23. Reese Anderson


Unavailable for selection: Hazel Tubic, Renee Holmes, Luka Connor