Ardron at 8 for North Island Derby

Tyler Ardon will start at N8 in this weekend’s North Island derby. The Canadian will play at the back of the scrum in a loose forward trio alongside Luka Jacobson, and Lachlan Boshier.

The team named by Head Coach Colin Cooper sees Michael Allardice, and Mitchell Brown packing down in the second-row. For Ardron means a start in his probable test position for RWC 2019 in Japan. He will be playing opposite Reed Prinsep who is uncapped but has played for the Maori All Blacks.

Ardron will make his 19th appearance for the Chiefs. Having joined the team in 2018, Ardron is contracted to the New Zealand side until 2021. He joined the Chiefs from Welsh region the Ospreys with whom he made 64 appearances for.

CHIEFS
15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (capt.), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli

Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Alex Nankivell