Charlie Ngatai to make Chiefs return against Reds in Super Rugby
By Reuters
Last Updated: 04/05/17 3:27pm
New Zealand international Charlie Ngatai will make his return to Super Rugby on Saturday after almost a year out of the game due to concussion.
The 26-year-old centre, who made his Test debut against Samoa in 2015 and was then selected in the All Blacks squad last year but never played due to the concussion, will start for the Chiefs against the Reds in New Plymouth, live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 8.30am.
Ngatai sustained the injury playing against the Highlanders on May 7, 2016 and was ruled out for the rest of the year as he failed to overcome the symptoms.
He returned to the field for his lower level club side three weeks ago and gradually built how many minutes he played, with Chiefs coach Dave Rennie saying earlier this week he was pleased with the centre's return.
"Obviously really nice for Charlie, it's been a long period for him," said Rennie. "But he's worked really hard, he's got himself in good nick.
"We've all been really cautious around it. He's confident. So fantastic to have him back in.
"In my opinion, he was probably the best player in Super Rugby until he got injured last year."
Ngatai will link with Anton Lienert-Brown in midfield for the clash in New Plymouth.
Lienert-Brown was arguably the player who benefitted the most from Ngatai's absence last year, being plucked from virtual obscurity by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and impressing enough to earn nine caps.
All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris will also make his Super Rugby return after he suffered a knee injury last August.
The 25-year-old suffered the injury while in camp with the All Blacks and was the second serious injury to strike the mobile hooker in his career.
He also suffered a bad ankle injury while playing the United States in late 2014, which ruled him out for much of 2015.
His return, from the bench, could not have come at a better time for Hansen with first-choice hooker Dane Coles under an injury cloud in the final weeks before the British and Irish Lions tour.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-capt), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 1 Kane Hames, 2 Hika Elliot, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Dominic Bird, 5 Brodie Retallick, 6 Mitchell Brown, 7 Sam Cane (co-capt), 8 Michael Leitch.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Atu Moli , 18 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi , 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Sam McNicol , 23 Shaun Stevenson.
Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Ben Meehan; 1 Toby Smith, 2 James Hanson, 3 Laurie Weeks, 4 Steve Cummins, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Hugh Sinclair, 7 Colby Fainga'a (c), 8 Amanaki Mafi.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Fereti Sa'aga, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Will Miller, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Jack Maddocks.