Stablemates fighting it out for Chiefs spot

The most interested onlooker at Waikato Stadium tonight will probably be Chiefs coach Ian Foster.

The showdown between the Chiefs stablemates has little tangible riding on it, in terms of the NPC, with both gone from the semifinal frame.

But individuals have much to play for with the squads for next year's enlarged Super 14 due to be announced on October 28.

Foster has made it clear more than merely a strong performance tonight will have been needed to secure a spot. Equally, players in the two teams will eyeball each other and the motivation of getting one over on a Chiefs rival should raise the stakes.

"I've always said this game is just one of nine they play and we're not interested in picking someone who can have one good game and eight poor ones," Foster said. "But this game is still going to have quite an edge to it."

Waikato coach Warren Gatland has admitted the fact future professional careers are at stake stopped him making more than minor tinkering to the team mauled by North Harbour last Sunday.

"I'm aware that some of these players are playing for their livelihoods and that was a real factor behind the selection of a few. They deserve an opportunity to redeem themselves and have a good performance and possibly put themselves in contention for the Chiefs."

New Zealand Colt Dwayne Sweeney gets a chance at centre ahead of the more experienced Keith Lowen and Mark Ranby, and Toby Lynn passed a fitness test on knee and ankle injuries and will lock the scrum with Sean Hohneck. Vern Cotter has given his players a chance to show they are better than last week's loss at Southland, opting for the same starting XV. Captain Wayne Ormond stays at lock with Bernie Upton gone for the season with ankle ligament damage.

* Waikato Stadium, 5.30pm today

Waikato

Sosene Anesi
Richard Kahui
Dwayne Sweeney
David Hill
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Byron Kelleher
Steven Bates (c)
Marty Holah
Liam Messam
Sean Hohneck
Toby Lynn
Deacon Manu
Scott Linklater
P. Toleafoa


Reserves: Aled de Malmanche or Ted Tuaroa, Nathan White, Mark Burman, Steven Setephano, Brendon Leonard, Mark Ranby, William Ripia.

Bay of Plenty
Cashmore/Reid

David Johnston
Grant McQuoid
Rena Schuster
Anthony Tahana
Mike Delany
Kevin Senio
Colin Bourke
Nili Latu
Warren Smith
W. Ormond (c)
Mark Sorenson
Ben Castle
Aleki Lutui
Simms Davison


Reserves: John Paraenga, Tau Filise, Paul Tupai, Tanerau Latimer, Charles Hubbard, Allan Bunting, Hayden Reid or Filimone Bolavucu.