Muliaina's central role

Chiefs captain forced to switch as injuries hit the squad

Last updated: 16th May 2008

Mils Muliaina

Muliaina: Positional switch

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Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina will start at centre against the Sharks on Saturday in their all-important clash in Durban.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster on Thursday named a match-day 22 containing a couple of brackets and some player changes - reflecting the injury woes sustained in the Chiefs camp over the past fortnight.

Muliaina moves from full-back to centre with Sosene Anesi set to wear the No.15 jersey.

Elsewhere in the backs, Brendon Leonard, who only arrived in South Africa earlier this week, returns to wear the No.9 jersey and will combine with Stephen Donald at fly-half. Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, is bracketed with Viliame Waqaseduadua

In the forwards lock Jono Gibbes returns to the staring line-up after a long lay-off due to a badly torn hamstring and is paired with Kevin O'Neill. Tom Willis returns as hooker, supported by props Aled de Malmanche and Ben Castle.

No.8 Sione Lauaki, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained last weekend against the Lions, is bracketed with loose forwards Hayden Hopgood and Faifili Levave.

"This tour has been very frustrating from an injury perspective, with this week being particularly hard for our medical staff," Foster said on the Chiefs website.

"However, the team is getting more settled as the week goes on and we are certainly looking forward to Saturday's match.

"With seven wins already in this competition we know we can perform at the top level but the amount of significant injuries has again been a concern.

"We take confidence from those past performances and are determined to give it everything this weekend."

Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Mils Muliaina (c), 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu/Viliame Waqaseduadua, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki/Hayden Hopgood/Faifili Levave, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Jono Gibbes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Aled de Malmanche.
Replacements: 16 John Paeranga, 17 Nathan White, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Sione Lauaki/Hayden Hopgood/Faifili Levave, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Viliame Waqaseduadua/Murray Williams.