Ardron named in Chiefs team to play Blues

It’s three starts in a row for Tyler Ardron with the Chiefs. The Canadian continues to play in the second row alongside All Blacks star Brodie Retallick.

After back-to-back wins over the Sunwolves and Highlanders it’s the Blues who make the short trip from Auckland to Hamilton on Saturday. Three changes have been made to the team, two enforced.

Lachlan Boshier replaces Liam Messam on the flank and powerful Fijian Pita Sowakula is named at No8 for his first Super Rugby start. Injuries have ruled out Taleni Seu and Brad Weber, with the latter replaced by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi in the run-on side.

Saturday’s match is at the FMG Stadium with kickoff set for 7:35pm local time. Canadian fans can watch live on TSN Go late Friday evening at 12:35am Pacific, 3:35am Eastern.

CHIEFS vs Highlanders
1 Aidan Ross, 2 Nathan Harris, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Tyler Ardron, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 7 Sam Cane (capt.), 8 Pita Sowakula, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Sean Wainui, 12 Johnny Fa’auli, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 14 Toni Pulu, 15 Solomon Alaimalo

Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Charlie Ngatai