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Round 3 of Super Rugby Pacific action begins with the Chiefs playing host to the Highlanders. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 5:0pm (AEDT).
Aaron Smith returns at halfback for the Highlanders and they’ll need all his experience to turn around a shocking record – they’ve lost 12 straight matches against their New Zealand rivals.
The Highlanders started with last year’s finalists the Blues and Crusaders, while the Chiefs are in strong form.
Coach Clarke Dermody has made a tweak to his side, recalling Mitch Hunt at fly-half and shifting for England playmaker Freddie Burns to fullback.
Smith’s return at half-back helps, but it is up front that the Highlanders will be tested against an explosive and intimidating pack.
The Chiefs have no shortage of All Blacks stars, with Samisoni Taukei’aho the in-form hooker of the competition while Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i offer height and power in the middle.
Pita Gus Sowakula drops back to the bench for Naitoa Ah Kuoi and joins Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson in a well balanced back-row.
Game information
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Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT) Streaming:Stan Sport Betting: Chiefs $1.05, Highlanders $12 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Sam Cane (c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Alex Nankivell, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves:Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Pita Gus Sowakula, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.
Highlanders (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Rhys Marshall, Jermaine Ainsley, Pari-Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjies (c), Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt, Mosese Dawai, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado, Freddie Burns.
