KEY POINTS:
Loose forward Steven Bates yesterday caused a hiccup in the Chiefs' preparations for their Super 14 clash with the Lions in Hamilton on Friday night.
Bates, the Chiefs stand-in skipper in the absence of Jono Gibbes, sprained his left ankle early in their training session. He will have a scan today to assess the extent of the injury.
On the plus side, first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea is expected to be fit for selection as the Chiefs pursue their first win of the campaign.
Lavea, in his first season at the Chiefs after being a Blues man last year, suffered medial ligament damage during a short spell as second half replacement in the opening-round match against the Brumbies last month and has been sidelined since.
However, he has been taking part in full-contact training this week and is a good chance to be in the Chiefs 22 when it is named tomorrow.
Other Chiefs on the injury list include backs Sosene Anesi (recovering from neck fracture), Richard Kahui (shoulder), Niva Ta'auso (neck and back) and forwards Jono Gibbes (calf) and Aled de Malmanche (groin).
The Lions are sixth on 16 points, the Chiefs second last on seven.
* The Hurricanes have ruled Ma'a Nonu out of their two-match South African tour with a shin injury.
Nonu flew home from Perth as his teammates departed for South Africa after having a scan following the Hurricanes' 18-17 loss to the Force at the weekend.
