Chiefs see the bigger picture

Chiefs coach Ian Foster has backed rugby's tsunami relief match even though rumour suggests he could lose captain Jono Gibbes for vital early Super 12 clashes against the Crusaders and Blues.

Either Gibbes or his fellow All Black loose forward Steven Bates are said to be the leading candidates for the charity match at Twickenham on March 5.

The Chiefs player - who will join Tana Umaga, Andrew Mehrtens, Carl Hoeft and a Blues player - is expected to be revealed today.

The Twickenham game clashes with the Chiefs' match against the powerful Crusaders in Christchurch. The New Zealand players could also struggle to return in time for the third round, when the Chiefs host the Blues.

The Chiefs are already certain to be without leading forwards Keith Robinson and Tom Willis.

With Daniel Carter in the Crusader ranks, Mehrtens will hardly be missed by last year's beaten finalists.

But Foster and Chiefs boss Gary Dawson wholeheartedly backed the tsunami appeal match.

"At this stage we don't know who our player is," said Foster from Melbourne, where the Chiefs are preparing for Friday night's trial against the Brumbies.

"From a Super 12 campaign view, most people see it has a bit of a hindrance. But it is a cause that goes beyond our little world.

"When you look at the bigger picture, it's good that rugby has got involved. It's something that's non-negotiable."

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have taken the long road - longer than expected - to Friday night's match in Wagga Wagga (or Wagga as it is known), inland from Canberra.

They chose Melbourne as their base in the belief that it was about a four-hour bus ride to the venue.

Canberra is a bit closer, but Melbourne appealed as a more interesting base.

But tomorrow's drive will be much longer, although the information is still sketchy.

"When we first learnt the game was in Wagga Wagga we had to get the map out," said Foster.

"Since arriving in Melbourne, we've had two bus drivers.

"One said it would be 4 1/2 hours and the other said six.

"We've gone for the four and a half, although we're now a bit scared that he'll drive a bit fast in an effort to be proved right."

The Chiefs will be bolstered by the return of eight leading players - including Gibbes - who missed the first trial against the Hurricanes.

But prop Deacon Manu (back) has been left in Hamilton.

Manu also missed the game at Pukekohe against the Hurricanes but the medical advice is that he will be fit for the start of the Super 12.

The Brumbies will play Matt Giteau at first five-eighths in place of Stephen Larkham (broken arm). They have named a mixture of established players and rookies.

Super 12 warm-ups

Chiefs v Brumbies, Wagga Wagga, Friday

Blues v Hurricanes, Hastings, Friday