HAMILTON-based Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs have named their team to play the Highlanders in their 2017 Super Rugby season opener tonight.
“I feel like a 10-year-old kid again, I’m just really excited to lace up my boots and play some rugby.” —— these words from Mitchell Karpik shared ahead of his Super Rugby debut this Friday, aptly encapsulates the mood in camp two days out from the Chiefs 2017 campaign opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Karpik, 21, is one of four exciting young players in line to make their Investec Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in this game.
Chiefs
1. Kane Hames, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Dominic Bird, 5. Brodie Retallick, 6. Taleni Seu, 7. Mitchell Karpik, 8. Liam Messam, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10. Aaron Cruden (captain), 11. James Lowe, 12. Johnny Faauli, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Damian McKenzie.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Mitchell Brown, 20. Lachlan Boshier, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams, 23. Shaun Stevenson.
Highlanders: 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Alex Ainley, 5. Tom Franklin, 6. Gareth Evans, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Liam Squire, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 11. Tevita Li, 12. Rob Thompson, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Ben Smith (C).
Replacements: 16. Adrian Smith, 17. Craig Millar, 18. Guy Millar, 19. Jackson Hemopo, 20. Elliot Dixon, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Matt Faddes
