Ardron back at Eightman for Chiefs against Hurricanes

Tyler Ardron will start his fourth game of the Super Rugby season for the Chiefs, and for the third time he will be wearing the No8 shirt. The Canadian international played in the second row during last week’s loss to the Crusaders, but it’s back to his preferred position to face the Hurricanes.

It’s been a tough start to the season for the Chiefs, who have struggled through four straight defeats including a third-round loss to the Sunwolves. With six All Blacks in the starting lineup and two more on the bench, the team is not short on talent. They’ll be hoping to get back to their winning ways on home turf but their opponent is a challenge.

The Hurricanes have won three of four and are behind only the Crusaders on the overall table. Their star-studded backline features New Zealand regulars TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett, while Ardie Savea is the pick of the pack. Captain Dane Coles faces a late fitness test with Ricky Riccitelli on standby should be forced to drop out.

Kickoff is set for 7:35pm local time on Friday, 2:35am Eastern, Thursday 11:35pm Pacific time. Canadians can watch live on TSN.ca with ESPN holding the rights to the rest of the Americas.

CHIEFS
1 Aidan Ross, 2 Nathan Harris, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick (capt.), 5 Michael Allardice, 6 Mitchell Brown, 7 Mitchell Karpik, 8 Tyler Ardron, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Marty McKenzie, 11 Ata’ata Moeakiola, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Tumua Manu, 14 Sean Wainui, 15 Damian McKenzie

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Etene Nanai-Seturo

HURRICANES
1 Toby Smith, 2 Dane Coles (capt.), 3 Ben May, 4 James Blackwell, 5 Vaea Fifita, 6 Reed Prinsep, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Beauden Barrett, 11 Wes Goosen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 13 Matt Proctor, 14 Jordie Barrett, 15 Chase Tiatia

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Liam Mitchell, 20 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Salesi Rayasi

Date: Friday, March 15
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kickoff: 19:35 local (02:35 Eastern, Thursday 23:35 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZRU)
Assistants: Brendon Pickerill (NZRU) & Nick Hogan (NZRU)
TMO: Shane McDermott (NZRU)
Broadcast: ESPN, TSN.ca