Two changes for the Chiefs
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:47
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, March 12
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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