Halfback selections defy all theories

Chiefs halfback Byron Kelleher has recovered from his rib problem. Picture / Alan Gibson

The halfback duel has taken several unexpected twists for tomorrow's Super 14 match between the Chiefs and Crusaders.

Listen to the coaches, absorb the medical bulletins, suck up the theories or read the tea leaves - whatever methods were being used to gauge team selections, it seemed Kevin Senio would take on Jamie Nutbrown, the halfback he deposed at the Crusaders.

Instead, Byron Kelleher has been cleared of his rib problem and will direct the Chiefs pack while 22-year-old Andrew Ellis has been picked to make his first start for the Crusaders.

Kelleher's recovery complimented the fitness reprieve for midfielder Sam Tuitupou while the Crusaders regained midfielder Aaron Mauger from their injured roster.

"It is looking good for our blokes, they have settled down well and to be fair we have eased them through training," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said.

"We are surprised they have recovered so well but it has also been good for them to freshen."

In other changes, the Chiefs picked Simms Davison at loosehead prop instead of Deacon Manu and Anthony Tahana on the wing instead of Commonwealth Games-bound speedster Soseni Anesi.

Davison, Ben Castle and Manu had all been playing strongly and the Chiefs had decided to share their workload in the opening segment of the Super 14. For this game, it was decided to use Davison and Castle, two props who had played a lot of rugby together.

Twin changes in the Crusaders pack have Wyatt Crockett at loosehead prop and Ross Filipo returning to lock the scrum with Chris Jack. But coach Robbie Deans' decision to use Ellis instead of Senio was the latest of his intriguing selections. It was, said Deans, no reflection of Senio's form because he had been sharp.

However, Ellis had recovered from his recent rib troubles and was the right man to confront All Black Kelleher at Hamilton

"He's got a physical presence that we want to use, particularly in the defensive channels," Deans said of the 92kg Ellis.

The four changes come to a Crusaders side unbeaten after four rounds of the expanded competition, including their last match demolition of the Blues. As usual Deans praised his opponents, using their last game victory against the Reds as a warning before tomorrow's match.

"They're a team that's clearly on the rise, they've started to play with some confidence and fluency," Deans told NZPA. "Playing them in Hamilton, they're going to require a better performance than we've produced to date, to get past them."

The Chiefs received a boost with utility Loki Crichton cleared to be on the bench after his leg trouble and midfielder David Hill also chosen in the reserves after suffering from viral fatigue syndrome for several months.

"This is a great game for us, one calling for a final big effort before we have the bye," Foster said.

"We are quietly happy with the way we have been progressing, we have had good moments in each game and to test all that against the Crusaders, the defending champions, will be awesome.

"We know we need to raise our game but that is our challenge."

Chiefs v Crusaders, Hamilton, 7.35 Friday

Chiefs

Mils Muliaina
Anthony Tahana
Mark Ranby
Sam Tuitupou
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Byron Kelleher
Sione Lauaki
Marty Holah
Steven Bates
Bernie Upton
Jono Gibbes (c)
Ben Castle
Tom Willis
Simms Davison

Reserves: Aleki Lutui, Deacon Manu, Sean Hohneck, Kristian Ormsby, Jamie Nutbrown, David Hill, Loki Crichton.

Crusaders

Leon MacDonald
Rico Gear
Caleb Ralph
Aaron Mauger
Scott Hamilton
Daniel Carter
Andrew Ellis
Mose Tuiali'i
Richie McCaw (c)
Reuben Thorne
Ross Filipo
Chris Jack
Greg Somerville
Corey Flynn

Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Ben Franks, Brad Mika, Johnny Leo'o, Kevin Senio, Cameron McIntyre, Casey Laulala.