Chiefs v Highlanders: Teams
The Chiefs have turned to Mike Delaney in an attempt to stop the rot after the wheels came off their season.
Last Updated: 02/04/10 9:41am
The Chiefs have turned to Mike Delaney in an attempt to stop the rot after the wheels came off their season.
After a bright start, last season's beaten finalists are desperate to end a three-match losing run - with Delaney handed his first start of the campaign at fly-half.
Stephen Donald shuffles across to inside centre, with Jackson Willison dropping to the bench.
Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tanerau Latimer and Aled de Malmanche are definitely out, so there are call ups for Dwayne Sweeney, Luke Braid and Hika Elliot.
The Highlanders will be without vice-captain Jamie Mackintosh for the rest of the Super 14 after the prop suffered a toe injury.
Chris King will come in at loosehead after Mackintosh strained the joint of the big toe through scrumming.
The Highlanders are also without lock Tom Donnelly, who has undergone surgery to insert a pin in his ankle and is likely to be out for the rest of the Super 14 season.
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Colin Bourke, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 Tim Boys/John Hardie, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Mat Berquist, 22 James Paterson.
