SR Aotearoa Rd 4 Preview

Chiefs v Hurricanes, Sunday, July 5, Hamilton, 3.35pm.

Memories of an earlier tight finish with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and two near things in Super Rugby Aotearoa, will drive the Chiefs in their quest for their first win of the revamped season in Hamilton on Sunday.

Coach Warren Gatland said it was a vital game for the side to get on the scoreboard while it was also a chance to reward their fans.

"We understand, and appreciate, how important this game is," he said.

Gatland said mid-field back Anton Lienert-Brown couldn't remember when took a knock in the Chiefs' last game and it was on Tuesday that a headache resulted in him having an HIA test which he failed so he wasn't considered for the game.

That has seen Quinn Tupaea move in a position from centre with Tumua Manu getting a start for the side.

Gatland said he felt the team was getting close to success. They had dominated possession and position more than they had in Super Rugby and it was now about getting the balance in their game.

"What was pleasing to me was we were 18-3 down [against the Crusaders] and we showed some real character to hang in that game and get back. At 18-13 we had a chance of winning the game and we were attacking the Crusaders' line and I was proud of that," he said.

"Our turnovers came down last weekend but we are still conceding more than the opposition. We're adapting between making sure we are smart, there's a lot of players on their feet, there's not a lot of space and we need to be a little bit sharper in terms of turning teams around and then taking the opportunities that are presented to us," he said.

Hurricanes assistant coach Chris Gibbes said fullback Jordie Barrett had worked hard on his rehabilitation and the coaching team were happy he was available once again.

Centre Peter Umaga-Jensen was getting his first starting chance of the campaign. He had been training well and in club rugby last weekend he had shown he was ready to be considered again.

"He's as ready as he's ever going to be but he's got a job to do and we're expecting him to do the job," he said.

While the Hurricanes had the benefit of the bye last weekend, Gibbes said they had still trained during their break.

"It is a massively taxing competition. Our guys were still sore after the first game on a Friday, it's a very physical encounter, we know what's coming and the boys should be ready for it," he said.

In their locking choice of James Blackwell and Scott Scrafton they had competition in that position and they wanted to assess their combination.

The teams are:

Chiefs: 1.Aidan Ross, 2.Bradley Slater, 3.Nepo Laulala, 4.Mitchell Brown, 5.Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6.Lachlan Boshier, 7.Sam Cane, 9.Pita Gus Sowakula, 10.Aaron Cruden, 11.Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12.Quinn Tupaea, 13.Tumua Manu, 14.Sean Wainui, 15.Damian McKenzie.

Substitutes: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17.Reuben O'Neill, 18.Ross Geldenhuys, 19.Tupou Vaa'i, 20.Dylan Nel, 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22.Kaleb Trask, 23.Solomon Alaimalo.

Hurricanes: 1.Fraser Armstrong, 2.Dane Coles (captain), 3.Tyrel Lomax, 4.James Blackwell, 5.Scott Scrafton, 6.Reed Prinsep, 7.Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8.Ardie Savea, 9.TJ Perenara (captain), 10.Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11.Ben Lam, 12.Ngani Laumape, 13.Peter Umaga-Jensen, 14.Kobus van Wyk, 15.Jordie Barrett.

Substitutes: 16.Ricky Riccitelli, 17.Ben May, 18.Alex Fidow, 19.Vaea Fifita, 20.Devan Flanders/Liam Mitchell, 21.Jamie Booth, 22.Billy Proctor, 23.Wes Goosen.

Referee: Ben O'Keefe.