The Chiefs will play their final home round robin match at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday night when they take on the Reds in round 11 of the Rebel Sport Super 14.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "not only are we looking forward to our last round robin home game, but it is also a vital match for us before
we head overseas for three weeks."
Foster believes the Reds represent a significant challenge for the Chiefs this weekend having come off a good win over the Western Force
last Friday night.
"That game highlighted a consistent improvement in the Reds performance from last year," he said.
There are a couple of changes to the Chiefs starting line-up for the Reds encounter.
In the front row, burly prop Ben May gets to start at loosehead prop and in the backs Jamie Nutbrown will run out in the number 9 jersey.
"This match is a good opportunity for Jamie to perform after coming back from a significant knee injury and for Ben May who has been a great contributor off the bench for us in recent weeks," said Foster.
Niggling injuries have resulted in Foster bracketing players on the reserves bench for this match. Halfback Brendon Leonard (bruised knee) has been bracketed with David Bason; Callum Bruce (foot strain) with Murray Williams; and prop Simms Davison (upper leg strain) with Simon Lemalu from the Chiefs Wider Training Group. Chiefs prop Craig West was not considered for selection after suffering a significant groin strain this week.
Foster will make final decisions on his starting 22 late on Saturday.
The Chiefs team to play the Reds on Saturday 26 April at 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton is:
1. Ben May
2. Tom Willis
3. Ben Castle
4. Toby Lynn
5. Kevin O'Neill
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Sione Lauaki
9. Jamie Nutbrown
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina (capt)
Reserves
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Simms Davison/Simon Lemalu
18. Jay Williams
19. Faifili Levave
20. Brendon Leonard/David Bason
21. Callum Bruce/Murray Williams
22. Sosene Anesi.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "not only are we looking forward to our last round robin home game, but it is also a vital match for us before
we head overseas for three weeks."
Foster believes the Reds represent a significant challenge for the Chiefs this weekend having come off a good win over the Western Force
last Friday night.
"That game highlighted a consistent improvement in the Reds performance from last year," he said.
There are a couple of changes to the Chiefs starting line-up for the Reds encounter.
In the front row, burly prop Ben May gets to start at loosehead prop and in the backs Jamie Nutbrown will run out in the number 9 jersey.
"This match is a good opportunity for Jamie to perform after coming back from a significant knee injury and for Ben May who has been a great contributor off the bench for us in recent weeks," said Foster.
Niggling injuries have resulted in Foster bracketing players on the reserves bench for this match. Halfback Brendon Leonard (bruised knee) has been bracketed with David Bason; Callum Bruce (foot strain) with Murray Williams; and prop Simms Davison (upper leg strain) with Simon Lemalu from the Chiefs Wider Training Group. Chiefs prop Craig West was not considered for selection after suffering a significant groin strain this week.
Foster will make final decisions on his starting 22 late on Saturday.
The Chiefs team to play the Reds on Saturday 26 April at 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton is:
1. Ben May
2. Tom Willis
3. Ben Castle
4. Toby Lynn
5. Kevin O'Neill
6. Liam Messam
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Sione Lauaki
9. Jamie Nutbrown
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Dwayne Sweeney
13. Richard Kahui
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina (capt)
Reserves
16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Simms Davison/Simon Lemalu
18. Jay Williams
19. Faifili Levave
20. Brendon Leonard/David Bason
21. Callum Bruce/Murray Williams
22. Sosene Anesi.
