All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa is set to make a remarkable comeback after an eight-month injury layoff that sidelined him from the Rugby World Cup. The 24-year-old, who impressed in the 2023 season with the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific, earned a spot in the New Zealand squad and made his debut in a Rugby Championship match against Argentina. Despite only earning one cap, Narawa did enough to secure a place in the World Cup squad before his injury setback. Now fully recovered, he is named on the bench for the Chiefs' upcoming clash with the Highlanders.
Coach Clayton McMillan is thrilled to have Narawa back in the mix and is confident in his abilities. It's a strong Chiefs squad facing a tough challenge in the Highlanders, and McMillan is aware of the opposition's improvement in the 2024 season. Despite some absences and injuries, the team is focused on maintaining a balance between player management and squad depth. The Chiefs have selected a side that reflects the anticipated challenge and aims to maintain cohesion heading into the business end of the season.
.setLayoutParams: The Chiefs will face the Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday, March 23. Kick-off is at 16:35 local time (03:35 GMT), with referee Paul Williams officiating the match. Assistant Referees are Dan Waenga and Mike Winter, while the TMO is Richard Kelly.