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Tyler Ardron has been named at lock for the Chiefs in their Super Rugby warm-up match against the Reds at Ballymore on Friday. The Canadian international packs down beside captain Michael Allardice in a mixed team that includes All Blacks scrumhalf Brad Weber and new signing Jack Debreczeni.
Ardron is entering his second Super Ruby campaign with the Chiefs. He played in 11 games in 2018, starting 10 and scoring three tries. One appearance came at No8 with the rest in the second row.
The Reds will field a near full-strength side laden with Australian internationals including Taniela Tupou, Scott Higginbotham, and Samu Kerevi. Also named is giant lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (formerly Lukhan Tui) who returns after a brief sabbatical that saw him skip the November internationals.
This will be the final tune-up opportunity for both sides with the Chiefs opening their regular season schedule next weekend against the Highlanders. The Reds begin a week later against the Highlanders.
Last season saw the Reds struggling, finishing 13th overall, while the Chiefs were knocked out by the Hurricanes in the Quarter Finals. Kickoff is set for 7:15pm Australia time, 4:15am Eastern time.
REDS
1 Fe’ao Fotuaika, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Harry Hockings, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 9 Moses Sorovi, 10 Hamish Stewart, 11 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi (capt.), 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 15 Bryce Hegarty
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Caleb Timu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas, 24 Adam Korczyk, 25 Teti Tela, 26 Jack Hardy, 27 Filipo Daugunu
CHIEFS
1 Atunaisa Muli, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Jeff Thwaites, 4 Michael Allardice (capt.), 5 Tyler Ardron, 6 Mitchell Brown, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 8 Taleni Seu, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 14 Malo Tuitama, 15 Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: 16 Sekope Moli, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Tevita Mafile’o, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Jack Stratton, 22 Tyler Campbell, 23 Orbyn Leger, 24 Sosefo Kautai, 25 Mitch Jacobson, 26 Pita Gus Sowakula, 27 Quinn Tupaea
