KEY POINTS:
The Chiefs' injury woes are reflected in an overhauled team named today to play the Sharks in their final-round Super 14 rugby match at Durban on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Coach Ian Foster was forced to make five changes from the team who started in the 27-33 loss to the Lions last weekend and there could yet be more as two positions have been bracketed.
Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is still recovering from an ankle injury and has been bracketed with Viliame Waqaseduadua while No 8 Sione Lauaki is trying to shake off a hamstring injury so is bracketed with both Hayden Hopgood and Faifili Levave.
There are three definite changes in the forwards, with Tom Willis returning at hooker after recovering from a side strain, utility front rower Aled de Malmanche replacing the suspended Ben May at prop and Jono Gibbes in for Toby Lynn at lock.
It is former captain Gibbes' first start for nearly three months courtesy of a hamstring strain.
In the backs Brendon Leonard, who arrived in South Africa earlier this week after shaking off injury, will start while captain Mils Muliaina shifts from fullback to centre, making way for Sosene Anesi at the back.
"This tour has been very frustrating from an injury perspective, with this week being particularly hard for our medical staff," Foster said.
"However, the team is getting more settled as the week goes on and we are certainly looking forward to the match."
Chiefs:
Sosene Anesi, Lelia Masaga, Mils Muliaina (captain), Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu/Viliame Waqaseduadua, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki/Hayden Hopgood/Faifili Levave, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Jono Gibbes, Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Aled de Malmanche.
Reserves:
John Paeranga, Nathan White, Toby Lynn, Lauaki/Hopgood/Levave, Jamie Nutbrown, Dwayne Sweeney, Waqaseduadua/Murray Williams
