The Chiefs have made two changes to their tight five – and after his off-the-field problems, Sione Lauaki will sit out another week.
That is the news from the Chiefs’ camp ahead of their first New Zealand derby match of the Super 14 campaign this Friday when they take on the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Chiefs’ coach Ian Foster said: “We’re looking forward to our first New Zealand derby game, as they are always intense and competitive.
“It has been good to have a full training week after last week’s short turnaround. There’s been an opportunity to reflect on our first four games, and whilst we were frustrated with our last performance, overall the squad has made great progress.”
The Chiefs welcome lock Craig Clarke back into the starting line-up, with the Junior All Black lock having recovered from a groin strain suffered in the Round Two match against the Lions. Clarke, with 17 Chiefs’ caps, is one of two changes in the tight five this week.
The other is hooker Aled de Malmanche getting a spot in the starting XV. With Hika Elliot suffering a hamstring strain at training earlier in the week, Vern Kamo comes onto the bench as cover at hooker.
“Craig Clarke’s return is a result of him doing a great job with our medical staff. This has ensured his return at the best case scenario we gave him of three weeks, rather than the longer, but expected four to five weeks,” Foster commented.
“I expect a real lift in our intensity, back to the levels we achieved in the first couple of weeks. Certainly there were some individuals last week that didn’t get to the level they would have wanted,” the coach added.
With regard to Lauaki, Foster said: “Sione and I have decided that in light of the week that he has had, that the right thing to do is not play him in this game. We will fully support Sione over the next few weeks.”
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Date: Friday 12 March
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (08.35 SA Time)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Hellooooooooooooooooooo
This match between the Saders and the Chiefs will be a very interesting tussle… we’ll see exactly where we stand with the NZ sides….
Crusaders did’nt convince at all in the beginning but have steadily upped their game.
I believe they are the best NZ team at the moment.
The Chiefs should’nt pose to much problems imo…
Hello gbs…
2@ Blouste – Hello
Ja, ons sal maar sien… die Saders is mos geneig elke seisoen om stadig te begin.
Verbeel ek my of is daar darem te gereeld NZ en Ozzie spelers krimineel in die poef?
Kom ons lys die onlangses….
Ek dink die Aussies en NZ spanne word saam gestel deur ouens wat uit is op parool…
Difficult to change your old ways… 😆
Hier is die spanne…
Chiefs – 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Subs: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Crusaders – 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (c), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
Waratahs teen die Leeus…
Waratahs – 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Bau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.
Lions – 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Wigan Pekeur.
Ander spanne, behalwe Brumbies wat onveranderd is moet nog aangekondig word…
Gaan ‘n nice game wees, die no 1 en 2 NZ spanne wat albei onlangs in die hek geduik het teen die “rubble reds”… haha.
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