Rugby: Chiefs name 12-man bench

Mike Delany. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

The Chiefs will give 27 players game time in their pre-season match against the Hurricanes in Mangatainoka on Saturday.

Coach Ian Foster named a 12-strong bench for the game and promised all would see some action.

"This as a good opportunity for us to test where we are at with our initial systems and a chance to give the boys their first game of contact for the year which is always tough but something they need to get through," he said.

Veteran former All Black Tana Umaga was one of 12 players not considered for the match against his former side.

Meanwhile the Hurricanes have gone one step further naming a 15-man bench for the Saturday's clash.

All Blacks Victor Vito and Aaron Cruden will start from the sidelines.

Chiefs: Tim Nanai-Williams, Leila Masaga, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Ashee Tuala, Mike Delany, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Hayden Triggs, Romana Graham, Culum Retallick, Ben Afeaki, Aled de Malmanche, Ben May. Reserves: Daniel Perrin, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Sam Cane, Alex Bradley, Phillip Burleigh, Sona Taumalolo, Brendon Leonard, Mark Selwyn, Trent Renata, Save Tokula, Simon Lamalu.

Unavailable: Richard Kahui, Tana Umaga, Taniela Moa, Scott Waldrom, Isaac Ross, Toby Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Bourke, Hikawera Elliot, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina, Liam Messam.

Hurricanes: 1. John Schwalger, 2. Laurence Corlett, 3. Michael Bent, 4. James Broadhurst, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Rodney So'oialo, 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 11. Andre Taylor, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. Alapati Leiua, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Charlie Ngatai.

Reserves: Dane Coles (Jersey 16), Ma'afu Fia (Jersey 24), Jacob Ellison (Jersey 25), Anthony Perenise (Jersey 17), Reg Goodes (Jersey 1), Jeremy Thrush (Jersey 4), Bryn Evans (Jersey 18), Victor Vito (Jersey 23), Mike Coman (Jersey 19), Scott Fuglistaller (Jersey 7), Chris Eaton (Jersey 9), TJ Perenara (Jersey 20), Aaron Cruden (Jersey 10), Beauden Barrett (Jersey 22), Richard Buckman (Jersey 21)

- NZPA