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Sione Lauaki undoubtedly has his detractors, but the occasional All Black is admired in one part of the rugby world.
South Africa's Sharks, one of the Super 14 title favourites, greeted his naming in the Chiefs side they face in Hamilton tonight with a sense of foreboding.
It
was not outright panic stations when he was cleared of a hamstring injury, but the Sharks are well aware what the 117kg loose forward is capable of. Lauaki's presence in the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad was attributed in part to his performance against the Crusaders that year.
But he was equally devastating at Waikato Stadium when the buoyant Sharks arrived a week after downing the Blues at Albany.
Lauaki was in the sort of mood which has seen him intermittently trumpeted as a damaging ball runner and uncompromising defender by All Blacks management.
He left such an impression on then Sharks head coach Dick Muir during the Chiefs' 35-27 victory that the former Springbok quipped he would have needed a sniper to stop Lauaki in his tracks.
Since that unusual endorsement, Lauaki's career has fluctuated but there is little doubt he is a welcome addition to the winless Chiefs' underpowered pack.
Sharks head coach John Plumtree expected him to be a handful despite a relative lack of game time.
"We've always come up with strategies to look after him and we've never seemed to manage it," he said.
Lauaki may fade in and out of games and be prone to handling errors, but first five-eighth Stephen Donald agreed his presence was a filip to a side under scrutiny following narrow losses to the Crusaders and Waratahs.
"When you go against teams like the Sharks you need a feeling that you can meet fire with fire, and that's what Sione brings," he said.
Plumtree is well equipped to meet the challenge at the back of the scrum, however, where Ryan Kankowski is a definite threat.
The 24-year-old No 8 is not as physically imposing but he is blessed with lightning speed. Kankowski could not muscle into a loose forward trio of Juan Smith, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies but Plumtree said his elevation was only a matter of time. "There's no one with his speed in the competition. Get him into space and it's goodnight."
Lauaki replaces Colin Bourke at No 8, one of four changes to the Chiefs pack that started the 7-11 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney. Craig Clarke returns at lock in place of Toby Lynn while the heavily scrutinised front row has also been remodelled.
Tighthead prop Ben May drops to the bench for James McGougan while Aled de Malmanche starts at hooker ahead of Hika Elliot. All Black backs Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui remain unavailable but veteran Sosene Anesi slots in at fullback for the first time this campaign after recovering from a hamstring injury.
- NZPA