Chiefs decide against flying in new wing

The Chiefs will not fly in a replacement for injured wing Sailosi Tagicakibau ahead of their penultimate Super 12 match against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night.

Tagicakibau broke a leg in the thrilling 37-34 win over the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend. He is sidelined for six to eight weeks and has left the tour party.

There were thoughts about bringing in a specialist outside back, but last night Chiefs coach Ian Foster confirmed he would work within the backs left in the squad when they name their side tomorrow.

Among the leading options could be reintroducing experienced Adrian Cashmore at fullback with Sosene Anesi moving back to the wing, where he began the Super 12.

Tagicakibau had formed an exciting running back-three with fullback Anesi and Sitiveni Sivivatu recently.

The good news on the injury front is that Sione Lauaki and David Hill are expected to be fit for selection.

Big loose forward Lauaki has been troubled by a stiff neck since before the Stormers game, while Hill - an influential figure who needs seven points for his 100 this season and in what will be his 50th Super 12 game - had picked up a shoulder injury in the same match.

"Sione's neck seemed to be settling down pretty well," Foster said. "He finished a good training today and is feeling pretty good. David's come through well and we're expecting him to be fine."

The Chiefs are out of semifinal contention, but determined to end their season on a high.

They find themselves in the spoilers' role over the final fortnight of the round robin.

The Brumbies can be put out of their death throes on Saturday before the Highlanders arrive in Hamilton almost certainly needing a win to be in the playoffs. "We're pretty keen to carry on the progress," Foster said. "We were pretty excited not only with the win over the Stormers but the way it came about."