The Chiefs have controversially rested star playmaker Damian McKenzie for Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Such a move would have been unthinkable in previous seasons but the defending champion Crusaders are rock bottom with a scarcely believable 0-5 record.
Keep checking in for all the latest round six team news.
Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad free, live and and on demand on Stan Sport
CRUSADERS vs CHIEFS in Christchurch, Friday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says mandated All Blacks rest – and not the Crusaders' winless start to the season – was the reason to omit No.10 Damian McKenzie from his squad.
"We had always planned on Damian getting through the first four or five games before he needed a rest, as per the protocols," McMillan said.
"It's certainly got nothing to do with the Crusaders and how they are tracking at the moment, that didn't even factor into our thinking, it just either had to be last week or this week.
"He's had a niggly knee… if Damian had been 100 per cent fit, it might have been an easier decision to extend him another week, but he's not, so we won't risk him."
CRUSADERS (15-1):
Reserves:
CHIEFS (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Angus Gardner
READ MORE: 'Stop looking': Indigenous icon questions Latrell act
READ MORE: Former club doctor drops drugs bombshell on AFL
READ MORE: Horror NRL injury list hits home after bizarre barbecue accident
WARATAHS vs REBELS in Sydney, Friday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
WARATAHS (15-1):
Reserves:
REBELS (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Angus Mabey
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles review the Force's big upset of the Reds and whether golden point is a good thing for Super Rugby
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/who-saw-that-coming/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=Cover
FIJIAN DRUA vs FORCE in Lautoka, Saturday 12.05pm kickoff AEDT
DRUA (15-1):
Reserves:
FORCE (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Reuben Keane
MOANA PASIFIKA vs BLUES in Auckland, Saturday 2.35pm kickoff AEDT
MOANA (15-1):
Reserves:
BLUES (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: James Doleman
HIGHLANDERS vs HURRICANES in Dunedin, Saturday 5.05pm kickoff AEDT
HIGHLANDERS (15-1):
Reserves:
HURRICANES (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Damon Murphy
REDS vs BRUMBIES in Brisbane, Saturday 7.35pm kickoff AEDT
REDS (15-1):
Reserves:
BRUMBIES (15-1):
Reserves:
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.