Chiefs plot sendoff for Collins

Popular prop Michael Collins plays his 82nd and last game for the Chiefs while Keith Lowen reaches his half century as the side look to end their campaign on the right note against the Highlanders in Hamilton tomorrow night.

The 31-year-old Collins, a Chief since the second year of Super 12 in 1997, former captain of the franchise and an old team-mate of coach Ian Foster, is heading off to London Irish.

"He's brought a huge amount of level-headedness.

"For a front rower he's very sensible," quipped Foster of the most-capped Chief.

"He's played some great football and he's been a fantastic resource for Jono Gibbes in developing Jono's captaincy."

There are four changes from the side who drew 28-28 against the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.

The only pack alteration is at blindside flank where Sione Lauaki returns in place of Wayne Ormond, Lauaki's troublesome neck problem having cleared up.

In the backline, Kevin Senio starts ahead of Byron Kelleher, who looks like being sidelined for up to three weeks with a groin strain; and Sosene Anesi returns to fullback, opening a spot for Lowen in a rare outing on the right wing.

Foster admitted moving Anesi back to fullback was the starting point for the reshuffle. He did not see as much ball as the Chiefs had hoped against the Brumbies and utilising his sharp speed was a key factor in the selection thinking.

With Loki Crichton and Sailosi Tagicakibau gone for the season and centre Niva Ta'auso sidelined with a quad injury for up to five weeks, both Lowen and the other senior midfield back, Mark Ranby, return.

Usually a centre, Lowen lacks the out-and-out speed of a traditional winger, but Foster is confident he'll bring other qualities to the position.

"Keith runs good lines, he's very experienced and he's jumping out of his skin to be involved," he said.

The Highlanders, who must win then hope the Bulls lose to the Stormers in the early hours of Sunday to make the semifinals, have made three backline changes.

Fullback Ben Blair (broken hand) and Anthony Tuitavake (dislocated shoulder) are replaced by Glen Horton and Matt Saunders, and halfback Danny Lee is dropped for Jimmy Cowan. All Black hooker Anton Oliver is replaced by Mahonri Schwalger.

The Chiefs could finish fifth. They were propping up the table at the halfway point, so that would be a satisfying way to farewell their front row warrior Collins.