Gibbes transfer talk rubbished

Chiefs' Jono Gibbes has scotched reports that he is to join Saracens. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

Chiefs coach Ian Foster has scotched reports that talismanic skipper Jono Gibbes is poised to join English premiership club Saracens.

Radio reports yesterday claimed the Chiefs lock was being lined up as a replacement for former All Black captain Taine Randell at the north London club.

Gibbes, 29 and with eight tests behind him, is off contract at the end of the season and he would be a prime target, not only for his playing ability but his leadership qualities.

"Jono hasn't signed anything with Saracens," Foster said last night.

"He's totally committed to this campaign, but if you look at this stage of his career I guess it's not surprising he's got interest in him.

"We don't want him to go but I'm sure he's got some options in front of him he's mulling over."

Of more immediate concern for Foster is an injury Gibbes is trying to shake off ahead of tomorrow night's important clash with the Highlanders in Hamilton.

Gibbes suffered a haematoma on a leg after dropping some weights on it early this week. Recovery has been slower than hoped.

To further complicate the leadup to a critical game, All Black Mils Muliaina, listed to start at centre, is battling to cope with a small fracture in a hand, and prop Simms Davison has tweaked a hamstring, which troubled him earlier in the competition.

Decisions on all three will be delayed until late today or possibly tomorrow morning.

Until yesterday's fitness problems had management brows furrowing, the Chiefs had made five changes from the team narrowly beaten by the Brumbies last week.

Prop Deacon Manu is out with gout in a toe; hooker Aleki Lutui replaces Tom Willis; and Sean Hohneck takes over at lock from Bernie Upton.

Muliaina is to line up alongside David Hill, fit again after a lengthy virus held up the start of his season. Sam Tuitupou is on the bench and Mark Ranby out of the 22. That opens a gap for versatile Loki Crichton to start at fullback.

Highlanders coach Greg Cooper has also juggled his resources, including bringing back All Black tighthead Carl Hayman and hardworking lock Tom Donnelly to beef up the pack.

The Chiefs are eighth on the table, 11 points off the semifinal pace. The Highlanders are one spot and five points better off but have played one game more.