Stephen Donald to start for Chiefs in Fiji

  • 29/06/2016
Stephen Donald and Damian McKenzie (Photosport)
Stephen Donald and Damian McKenzie (Photosport)

Two weeks after turning back the clock against Wales, former All Black Stephen Donald will start against the Crusaders in their vital Super Rugby match against the Crusaders.

Donald has been preferred over Aaron Cruden at first five-eighth for Friday's game in Fiji between the two leading teams in Super Rugby's New Zealand conference.

All Black No.10 Cruden suffered a neck injury in the second Test win over Wales in Wellington which ruled him out of last Saturday's third Test in Dunedin.

Stephen Donald to start for Chiefs in Fiji

Donald was back to his best against Wales (Photosport)

Coach Dave Rennie has named Cruden on his reserves bench in Suva, handing a first Super Rugby start of the season for Donald.

The 32-year-old, who played a key late role in New Zealand's 2011 World Cup win, made two bench appearances this season before unleashing a brilliant attacking display in the 40-7 thumping against Wales on June 14.

Donald's last Super Rugby start was in June 2011 in a 19-11 loss to the Reds.

His introduction is one of three starting changes from the side that lost 45-25 to the Waratahs in their last competition game on May 27.

The others are in the front row, where Hika Elliot pushes All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris to the bench and prop Kane Hames replaces the injured Mitchell Graham.

It will be a special occasion for Elliot, who makes his 100th Chiefs appearance.

The exciting Damian McKenzie is retained at fullback, having spent a month in the All Blacks camp but failing to win selection for a first cap.

Rennie has retained Brad Weber as his starting halfback, keeping All Blacks squad member Tawera Kerr-Barlow on the bench.

Weber is one of eight starting players who were also in the XV who started against Wales.

CHIEFS: 1. Kane Hames, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 4. Dominic Bird, 5. Brodie Retallick, 6. Taleni Seu, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Tom Sanders, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Stephen Donald, 11. James Lowe, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Damian McKenzie   

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Mitchell Brown, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Sam McNicol.

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