Loose forward Liam Messam will lead the Chiefs in a hot and humid match against the Sharks in Durban this weekend in the opening round of the Super 14.
Messam, no stranger to the role of captain, steps in for Sione Lauaki who has been ruled out of the first Chiefs match due to an abscess on his arm.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "Sione’s infected arm had to be drained yesterday. While he is feeling better now, it is not going to be ready for the weekend’s game."
Messam will play at number six, supported by Colin Bourke at number eight and Tanerau Latimer at openside flanker. Latimer, a current All Black and experienced Chiefs campaigner, is set to play his 100th first class game of rugby in the weekend fixture.
In the backs Foster has opted for the midfield combination of Jackson Willison at second five-eighth with Richard Kahui at centre.
Dwayne Sweeney gets to start on the right wing, Fijian speedster Sitiveni Sivivatu on the right wing and Mike Delany at fullback.
Foster said Callum Bruce, who strained his knee in last week’s preseason match, is progressing well but is not included in the Chiefs team this week.
"We have other fit players available so we’ve decided to give him another week to fully recover."
Foster added: "the team has enjoyed its week in Durban after getting over the travel and acclimatising to the conditions. We understand some of the difficulties of the hot, humid conditions but are now just keen to get onto the field."
The Chiefs team to play the Sharks on Sunday 14 February at 6.10am (NZ time) in Durban, South Africa is:
1. Sona Taumalolo,2. Aled de Malmanche ,3. Nathan White,4. Craig Clarke,5. Kevin O’Neill,6. Liam Messam (captain),7. Tanerau Latimer,8. Colin Bourke ,9. Brendon Leonard,10. Stephen Donald,11. Sitiveni Sivivatu,12. Jackson Willison,13. Richard Kahui,14. Dwayne Sweeney,15. Mike Delany
Reserves: 16. Hika Elliot, 17. Ben Afeaki, 18. James McGougan, 19. Culum Retallick, 20. Jarrad Hoeata, 21. Junior Poluleuligaga, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams.
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