Waratahs v Chiefs: Teams

Key players Mils Muliaina and Sione Lauaki have been forced out of Friday's Super 14 clash against the Waratahs in Sydney with injuries.

While No.8 Lauaki is sidelined with a hamstring injury strained in the opening loss to Crusaders in Christchurch, captain Muliaina suffered a far less conventional twinge.

The veteran All Blacks full-back strained his back on Tuesday when standing up from his seat in a video session.

Flanker Liam Messam will captain the side in Muliaina's absence while former Highlander Mike Delany comes in at full-back for his Chiefs debut.

"Mils' situation has given us the opportunity to hand the captaincy over to Liam who has clearly established himself as a leader within our camp," said Chiefs coach Ian Foster.

Winger Sosene Anesi was not considered as an option, having fail to recover completely from a hamstring strain.

There are two other starting changes to the team, with Callum Bruce named at inside centre for Dwayne Sweeney and Tony Lynn for Craig Clarke at lock.

Centre Richard Kahui is suffering from a bruised hip which has ruled him out of training early this week.

Foster was hopeful Kahui would start but Jackson Willison travelled with the squad on Wednesday as cover.

Wallaby No.8 Wycliff Palu will make his first start of the season for the Waratahs after being cleared of stamping.

Palu came off the bench for the 26-22 over the Hurricanes, and was cited for the offence - only to be cleared by a SANZAR judicial hearing.

And Palu will now replace the now benched Scott Fava in the starting XV in the only change to the side.

Waratahs: 15 Sam Norton-Knight, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Will Caldwell, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Dan Palmer, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Scott Fava, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Tom Carter.

Chiefs: 15 Mike Delany, 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 (c), 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Ben May, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 James McGougan, 18 Craig Clarke, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 James Wilson.