Rugby: Chiefs welcome back Muliaina, Donald

Mils Muliaina at yesterday's Super Rugby launch. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks Mils Muliaina and first five-eighth Stephen Donald will feature for the Chiefs in their final Super rugby pre-season hitout against the Blues at Pukekohe on Friday.

Those not considered for the match were Richard Kahui, Colin Bourke, Hikawera Elliot, Culum Retallick, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, and Ben Afeaki.

Coach Ian Foster said in terms of injuries, Elliot was recovering well from an ankle injury and wasn't far away from being ready.

After two earlier warm-up matches without Muliaina or Donald -- a first-up 31-35 loss to the Hurricanes followed by a 28-26 win over the Highlanders - Foster appears to have picked something very close to his first choice line-up in the backs.

Brendon Leonard will be calling the shots from the base of the scrum while Donald while former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and Jackson Willison will man the midfield.

The back three firepower will be provided by Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga.

"We are looking forward to our final opportunity to test things before the start of Super rugby," Foster said.

"We will continue to use most of our players, as it is important for us to get all squad members on the same page tactically."

Chiefs team to play the Blues:

Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Jackson Willison, Tana Umaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Hayden Triggs, Nathan White, Daniel Perrin, Toby Smith.

Reserves: Ben May, Sona Taumalolo, Aled De Malmanche, Craig Clarke, Isaac Ross, Scott Waldrom, Steven Setephano, Taniela Moa, Mike Delany, Dwayne Sweeney, Save Tokula, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ahsee Tuala.