Gibbes and Chiefs ready to battle against Waratahs

Jono Gibbes is back to lead the Chiefs, but regular backs Sosene Anesi and Stephen Donald are on the bench for their final home game of the Super 14 season against the leaders, the Waratahs, in Hamilton tomorrow night.

Gibbes, sidelined by a rib problem for the past two games, is back at blindside flanker for the first time this season, where he will team with regulars Marty Holah and Steven Bates.

Donald has started all 11 games so far but is dropped for David Hill, and Anesi will miss only his second start of the campaign. Wing Sitiveni Sivivatu is now the only Chief to have been in every starting lineup.

Aleki Lutui starts at hooker in place of injured Tom Willis, who was concussed by a cheap shot from All Black Chris Masoe in the opening two minutes against the Hurricanes last week, the loss which effectively ended the Chiefs' playoff hopes.

Willis and centre Niva Ta'auso were not considered for selection. In Willis' absence, Scott Linklater comes on to the bench from the Chiefs' wider training group.

Deacon Manu, after several weeks sidelined by injury, returns to the reserves. If he gets on the field it will be his 50th Super rugby appearance for the franchise.

The Waratahs will be unchanged, captain and halfback Chris Whitaker becoming New South Wales' most capped player. It will be his 116th game, one more than former Wallaby Matt Burke.

Victory for the Waratahs will keep their nose in front of the Crusaders, and that means the chance to host the Super 14 final - if they get through the semis - is still within reach.

* The Blues have made three changes for their match against the lowly Cats in Johannesburg on Sunday. All Black lock Ali Williams and centre Anthony Tuitavake are dropped to the bench, replaced by Anthony Boric and Ben Atiga, while Onosai Tololima-Auva'a replaces Daniel Braid at openside flanker.

* Regular winger Bryan Habana has been dropped to the bench by the Bulls for tomorrow morning's crunch game against the Crusaders in Pretoria. Akona Ndungane will replace the Springbok star. The Crusaders have again omitted captain Richie McCaw, Tanerau Latimer getting his first start with Johnny Leo'o moving to blindside. Reuben Thorne will lead the side from lock.