Rugby: Lauaki back for Chiefs

Sione Lauaki will captain the Chiefs for the first time against the Lions on Sunday. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

Loose forward Sione Lauaki returns to captain the Chiefs for the first time in a Super 14 rugby match when the Chiefs take on the Lions on Saturday (NZT) in Johannesburg.

Lauaki, who last week was ruled out of contention due to an abscess on his arm, will start at No 8. Liam Messam will again feature on the blindside, with Chiefs rookie Luke Braid making up the loose forward trio, starting on the openside flank.

Braid will earn his first Chiefs cap, while halfback Junior Poluleuligaga and lock Culum Retallick are set to enjoy their first starts after debuting for the Chiefs off the bench last weekend.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster had a fully fit squad to select from this week.

Returning into the frame is second five-eighth Callum Bruce who slots into the midfield to combine with Richard Kahui (centre) and Stephen Donald (first five-eighth). Bruce had injured his knee in the last pre-season match in early February.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Sweeney is set to start on the right wing after recovering from a fever which saw him pulled from the Chiefs starting line-up the day of the Sharks game.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said it was good to Sione, Callum and Dwayne back from injury and illness, with their return an opportunity to make some changes as well as to freshen the squad.

"Playing the Lions at Ellis Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Chiefs in the past. We know it will be a tough game but we go into this with a lot of confidence from the Sharks win."

Chiefs
Mike Delany, Dwayne Sweeney, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Junior Poluleuligaga, Sione Lauaki (captain), Luke Braid, Liam Messam, Culum Retallick, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Afeaki, Jarrad Hoeata, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Jackson Willison, Tim Nanai-Williams.

Lions
Earl Rose, Tonderai Chavhanga, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu, Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert; Todd Clever, Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar (capt), Willem Stoltz, Franco van der Merwe, Ross Geldenhuys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe.

Reserves: Charles Emslie, JC Janse van Rensburg/Kevin Buys, Jacques Lombaard, Jonathan Mokuena, Jacques Coetzee, Burton Francis, Michael Killian.

- NZPA