Chiefs rejig loose forward trio

The Chiefs have reshuffled their loose forward trio for the Super 14 rugby match against the Stormers on Saturday night, with Sione Lauaki unavailable and Marty Holah getting a spell on the bench.

No 8 Lauaki's pectoral muscle injury, suffered in the 26-26 draw with the Bulls last weekend, has not healed in time for the fixture at Mt Maunganui in Tauranga.

Meanwhile, coach Ian Foster said openside flanker Holah had had the biggest workload of anyone in the squad and it was time to give him a rest.

Lauaki's injury means Steven Bates moves from the blindside flank to the back of the scrum, while Nili Latu will wear the No 7 jersey.

Liam Messam, who came off the bench against the Bulls, will start as blindside flanker.

The starting forward pack also features the return of skipper and lock Jono Gibbes, who played most of the second half against the Bulls after recovering from a thigh injury.

Prop Ben Castle comes back into the front row, with Nathan White on the reserves bench and Deacon Manu still out with gout.

The Chiefs' backline is unchanged.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Niva Ta'auso, Sam Tuitupou, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates, Nili Latu, Liam Messam, Bernie Upton, Jono Gibbes (captain), Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.

Reserves - Aleki Lutui, Nathan White, Sean Hohneck, Marty Holah, Jamie Nutbrown, Anthony Tahana, Loki Crichton.

- NZPA