Rugby: Sivivatu returns for 'must win' clash

Sitiveni Sivivatu. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu returns to the Chiefs team for their Super 15 rugby match against the Highlanders in Hamilton on Saturday night after an injury-enforced week on the sidelines.

Sivivatu, who missed last week's loss to the Bulls in Pretoria because of a hamstring strain, regains his left wing spot with Save Tokula dropping out of the 22, while the other change to the starting lineup sees Hika Elliot take over the hooking duties from Aled de Malmanche, who has been named on the bench.

Openside flanker Tanerau Latimer has won a spot on the bench after missing the Chiefs' two matches in South African because of a head knock suffered against the Crusaders in Mt Maunganui last month. He replaces Sam Cane for a match Chiefs coach Ian Foster has labelled "must win".

The Chiefs are ninth with 23 points, 12 behind the fifth-placed Highlanders.

The match also marks captain Mils Muliaina's 50th cap for the Chiefs.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison.

- NZPA