Western Force will host the Chiefs in Perth in the opening round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan is hoping his side’s long trek to Perth can make for a happy homecoming in what he terms will be a ‘battle of the scrappers’ against the Western Force on Saturday night. With a hideous schedule, compounded by making the final of Super Rugby Aotearoa, which will see the Chiefs play 10, or even 11, matches in as many weeks, you can bet none of their squad were exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of boarding an eight-hour flight for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener.
Western Force will host the Chiefs in Perth in the opening round of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
The Chiefs have shifted star playmaker Damian McKenzie to first five-eighth as they look to get their stuttering attack back on track in their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night. In naming their side on Thursday, the Chiefs have handed McKenzie the No 10 jersey for the second time this season, which sees Bryn Gatland play from the bench and Chase Tiatia start at fullback. That was the formation used for the final 35 minutes of last weekend’s Super Rugby Aotearoa decider defeat against the Crusaders, and McKenzie has usually finished games in the pivot role this year, but the Chiefs are looking to defy their arduous travel schedule and shoot out of the blocks at HBF Park by getting their attacking whiz running the cutter.
Sky Super Rugby Transtasman: Damian McKenzie moved to No 10 for Western Force clash as Chiefs begin demanding travel schedule
13 May, 2021 09:30 PM
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NZ Herald Focus Sport s Cheree Kinnear gives everything you need to know ahead of Super Rugby Transtasman. Video / NZ Herald
NZ Herald Focus Sport s Cheree Kinnear gives everything you need to know ahead of Super Rugby Transtasman. Video / NZ Herald
Christopher Reive is a sports reporter for NZME@chrisreive
After a year and a half of not having to travel outside of New Zealand for games, the Chiefs are going to do their best to make up for it over the next few weeks.