{"id":577816,"date":"2026-04-01T04:54:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T04:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/577816\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T04:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T04:54:16","slug":"reuben-oneill-set-to-play-50th-super-rugby-game-for-gallagher-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/577816\/","title":{"rendered":"Reuben O\u2019Neill\u00a0set\u00a0to play 50th\u00a0Super Rugby game for Gallagher Chiefs.\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reuben O\u2019Neill will play his 50th\u00a0game\u00a0for the Gallagher Chiefs on Saturday while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is poised to make his debut off the bench.<\/p>\n

Reuben O\u2019Neill will play his 50th\u00a0game\u00a0for the Gallagher Chiefs on Saturday while outside back Daniel Sinkinson is poised to make his debut off the bench.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Damian McKenzie out with concussion and Etene Nanai-Seturo nursing a sore foot, Sinkinson comes onto the bench as the Gallagher Chiefs return to Hamilton after their mini tour to Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leroy Carter\u00a0remains\u00a0at\u00a0centre as Daniel Rona and Lalakai Foketi continue their recovery\u00a0from\u00a0their respective\u00a0hamstring and hand injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDaniel is a great reflection of how well our wider training group has contributed to our environment this season so far,\u201d Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Jono Gibbes said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been a consistent performer for us at training and for the University of Waikato Taua development side as well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

O\u2019Neill\u00a0debuted for the Gallagher Chiefs in 2020 and\u00a0had a brief stint with the Crusaders in\u00a02023 but\u00a0has since been a permanent fixture in Hamilton.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPlaying my 50th game for the Gallagher Chiefs is a huge honour,\u201d O\u2019Neill said. \u00a0\u201cThis club\u00a0has\u00a0given me a\u00a0lot.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0fizzed to get out there on Saturday with the brothers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alongside O\u2019Neill, Ollie Norris will make his first start this year after coming back from injury via the bench. \u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a settled pack that sees Kaylum Boshier start at No8 with Simon Parker set to make an impact off the bench.\u00a0Vice\u00a0captain\u00a0Tupou Vaa\u2019i returns after he missed the win against the Force with a knee injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to be home again and we are looking forward to playing in front of our people at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday,\u201d Gibbes said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The game is set to be a weekend of Easter fun with attendees being treated to a live DJ, and a special Augmented Reality Easter Egg Drop. Fans will be able to see Easter Eggs falling from the sky, and if they\u2019re lucky will win exclusive Gallagher Chiefs merch, easter prizes and more. <\/p>\n

And to celebrate 30 years of Chiefs Rugby the club is returning to 1996 and offering all seats in the Porter Group stand for just $19.96<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0The Gallagher Chiefs have won their last three Super Rugby games against the Waratahs in New Zealand, scoring 39 or more points in each match.<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0The Gallagher Chiefs are on an eight game winning streak at home against teams from Australia, and scored 43 or more points in three of the last six such matches.<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0The Gallagher Chiefs have won nine of their last 11 games against Australian teams.<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0The Gallagher Chiefs have missed just 18.5 tackles per games this season, the fewest of any team in Super Rugby Pacific.<\/p>\n

\u25cf\u00a0Gallagher Chiefs vice captain Quinn Tupaea continues to lead voting for Super Rugby Player of the Year alongside Ben Donaldson from the Western Force.<\/p>\n

Gallagher Chiefs v waratahs<\/p>\n

7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, Saturday April 4.<\/p>\n

Starting XV<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Ollie Norris\u00a0<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho\u00a0<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Reuben O\u2019Neill\u00a0<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Josh Lord\u00a0<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Tupou Vaa\u2019i\u00a0(vc)\u00a0<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0Samipeni Finau\u00a0<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0Luke Jacobson (c)\u00a0<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0Kaylum Boshier\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

9. Xavier Roe\u00a0<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0Josh Jacomb\u00a0<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0Kyren Taumoefolau\u00a0<\/p>\n

12. Quinn Tupaea (vc)\u00a0<\/p>\n

13.\u00a0Leroy Carter\u00a0<\/p>\n

14. Emoni Narawa\u00a0<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0Liam Coombes-Fabling\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reserves\u00a0<\/p>\n

16.\u00a0Brodie McAlister\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

17.\u00a0Jared Profitt\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

18.\u00a0George Dyer\u00a0<\/p>\n

19.\u00a0Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi\u00a0<\/p>\n

20.\u00a0Simon Parker\u00a0<\/p>\n

21.\u00a0Cortez Ratima\u00a0<\/p>\n

22. Kyle Brown\u00a0<\/p>\n

23.\u00a0Daniel Sinkinson*\u00a0<\/p>\n

Players unavailable due to injury:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Daniel Rona \u2013 hamstring\u00a0\u2013 Rd 14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lalakai Foketi \u2013 hand \u2013\u00a0Round 11-13\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wallace Sititi \u2013 Hamstring \u2013 Rd 8-10\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ben\u00e9t Kumeroa \u2013 Ankle \u2013 Rd 12\u00a0<\/p>\n

Damian McKenzie \u2013 Concussion \u2013 Round 9\u00a0<\/p>\n

Etene Nanai-Seturo \u2013 Foot \u2013 Round 9\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jayden Sa \u2013 Shoulder\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Season\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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