Lauaki joins the half-ton club
Thu, 01 May 2008 09:49
Chiefs No.8 Sione Lauaki is set to play his 50th game for the franchise they take on the Western Force in a Super 14 Round 12 match at the Subiaco Over in Perth on Saturday.
Lauaki will become the 15th Chiefs player to play 50 or more games for the franchise.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "Sione is an important part of our set up and has been for the past four seasons. The 50th game milestone will be a great achievement for him and one that he should be proud of."
Lauaki will combine with loose forwards Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer in the Perth match.
Loosehead prop Simms Davison returns to the Chiefs front row this week, with burly prop Ben May being moved to tighthead.
In the backs, second five-eighth (No.12) Callum Bruce makes a return to the Chiefs starting line-up, with Dwayne Sweeney offering midfield cover off the bench.
Foster said: "it is business as usual this week for the Chiefs. We will continue to focus on improving our game."
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jamie Nutbrown, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Ben May, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Simms Davison.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Ben Castle, 18 Jay Williams, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 David Bason, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Sosene Anesi.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick-off: 17.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), D Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia), Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)
