Pretoria - Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has selected a strong squad to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (kick-off 15:05 SA time).
Following a 23-all draw against the Hurricanes in Hamilton last Friday a selection of changes have been made across the 23-man squad.
Four forwards remain in the starting line-up, loosehead prop Aidan Ross, hooker Nathan Harris, captain Brodie Retallick and No 8 Tyler Ardron. Tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao will start ahead of Nepo Laulala who will don jersey No 18.
A new locking combination of Retallick and Mitchell Brown will start with Michael Allardice providing cover on the bench. Blindside flanker Luke Jacobson earns his first start of the season and is joined by Lachlan Boshier on the openside who returns to the starting XV after missing the Hurricanes match with concussion.
In the backline, only two changes have been made. Flyhalf Jack Debreczeni, a former Melbourne Rebels player, earns his first start of the season after returning to full health.
Solomon Alaimalo returns from injury and is named on the left wing shifting Ataata Moeakiola to the bench.
Completing the changes to the 23-man squad, loosehead prop Tevita Mafileo returns following a minor injury named in jersey No 17 and loose forward Jesse Parete earns his spot on the bench to don jersey No 20.
Cooper told the Chiefs’ official website he is pleased with the team they have selected but is calling for his side to show an improved performance.
“Last week was frustrating for us and as a team we want to see ourselves capitalise on the opportunities presented to us. The Bulls are a very good team and are coming off the back of a bye. For us to be successful we need to try to be more accurate and continue to focus on delivering our game in order to improve on last week’s performance.”
Teams:
Bulls
15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 hanro Liebenberg, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka
Substitutes: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Dylan Sage
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Brodie Retallick (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Ataata Moeakiola
