Canadian Tyler Ardron has been named to start for the Chiefs in their Northern New Zealand derby against the Blues on Saturday. The Chiefs will have home advantage in Hamilton against the Auckland-based franchise in the week 9 Super Rugby match.
Ardron will join All Black and Chiefs captain Brodie Retallick in the second-row, this sees the Canadian moving from N8 to lock the scrum. Taleni Seu will start at the back of the scrum.
The previous match for the Chiefs was away to Los Jaguares in Argentina. The New Zealanders claimed a late victory over the South Americans in what was Ardron’s 16th Super Rugby appearance for the Chiefs.
CHIEFS
1 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick (capt.), 5 Tyler Ardron, 6 Luke Jacobson, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 8 Taleni Seu, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Marty McKenzie, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Tumua Manu, 14 Sean Wainui, 15 Damian McKenzie
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Ataata Moeakiola