The Cross-Border Rugby 2024 – Round 2 Preview

The second and final round of The Cross Border Rugby 2024 sees the Chiefs looking to respond against Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, while the Blues bid to complete their visit to Japan unbeaten by defeating Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday 10th February.

The Cross Border Rugby – Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay vs Gallagher Chiefs – Saturday 10 February 2024

Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, Yokohama, 12.10 PM

Only Liam Williams was selected of the three players we spoke to this week for the Cross Border match against the Chiefs, with Foley and Coles both helping the team prepare.

The New Zealand-based Chiefs will want to leave Japan on a happier note than their 38-14 loss to Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights last weekend and All Black midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returns to captain the Chiefs teaming up in the midfield with international colleague Quinn Tupaea.

Lienert-Brown will be in his 11th season with the Chiefs and is also joined by one cap All Black Josh Ioane on his debut in The Cross Border Rugby.

In total, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has made nine changes to the starting XV that lost at Saitama, with three All Blacks featuring in the run-on side.

Kubota Spears coach Frans Ludeke doesn’t have the services of Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley or All Black hooker Dane Coles, but Wales fullback Liam Williams gets his first look at a side from Super Rugby. South Africans’ hooker Schalk Erasmus, second rowers JD Schickering and Ruan Botha, and centre Rikus Pretorius all feature for the Japanese side.

Liam Williams has only appeared twice in Japan but the 89-test cap fullback was a try-scorer in the second of those matches and the 32-year-old is excited to play Super Rugby opposition for the first time.

Former Western Province and Bulls hooker Erasmus is an uncapped 25-year-old who will also make his debut against New Zealand opposition in Super Rugby.