Injury-hit Chiefs look to make Super Rugby history against Blues at Eden Park
No matter what the pre-match meal is, an injury-laden Chiefs side will roll up to Eden Park with the taste of sweet and sour in the mouths, considering the recent history against their local foe.
It's the local derby of the truest sense, this one between the Chiefs and those Blues neighbours from just up the motorway, and there have been plenty of epic contests to match.
But after the Auckland franchise held sway in the first four meetings during their glory days, it has since been a rivalry which has swung so much in the Chiefs' favour. So much so that they are now undefeated in their last 12 games against the Blues, with Friday night a potential lucky 13th, which would be a new record streak in Super Rugby between any two sides.
Blues: Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, George Moala, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryn Gatland, Augustine Pulu (c), Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Jimmy Tupou, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Parsons, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Michael Tamoaieta, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Jerome Kaino, Sam Nock, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Michael Collins.
Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Johnny Fa'auli, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane (c), Liam Messam, Michael Allardice, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Liam Polwart, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Mitchell Brown/Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Bailyn Sullivan/Declan O'Donnell.
