Rugby: Multiple changes to Chiefs side

Mike Delany. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs will field a significantly different starting 15 when they face the Highlanders in a Super rugby match in Dunedin on Friday night.

Coach Ian Foster has made eight changes to the side that began the 28-20 opening-round loss to the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.

Among those out are veteran midfielder Tana Umaga, who made his return to Super rugby last Saturday night after four years away, but the former All Black skipper fails to make the 22 this time around.

In other changes, two other All Blacks, first five-eighth Stephen Donald and halfback Brendon Leonard, will begin in the reserves.

They are replaced respectively by Mike Delany, who was unavailable last weekend because of a facial cut, and Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who came off the bench against the Brumbies.

The starting 15 also features the inclusion of lock Isaac Ross, who makes his debut for the Chiefs after his move from the Crusaders.

Ross, who played eight tests for the All Blacks in 2009, is coming back from a chest muscle injury.

Foster said the Chiefs were keen to build on their second-half performance against the Brumbies.

"We have taken into account the significant travel and the six-day turn-around and have made some changes accordingly," he said.

Among players unavailable were lock Craig Clarke and No 8 Fritz Lee, who picked up head and knee injuries respectively from the match.

Lock Romana Graham, who Foster said had probably his best game at Super rugby level, suffered bad cramp and was being rested.

Chiefs:
Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Isaac Ross, Hayden Triggs, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith.

Reserves: Ben May, Daniel Perrin, Culum Retallick, Steven Setephano, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Tim Nanai-Williams.

- NZPA