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Chiefs midfielder Richard Kahui will run out for the Chiefs this Friday night when they take on the Stormers in Round Five of the Rebel Sport Super 14 in Hamilton.
Kahui has been out of contention for the past two weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in the round two Chiefs v Waratahs match. He is now recovered and will play at second five-eighth for the Friday fixture.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster has chosen new captain Mils Muliaina to start at centre this week with Lelia Masaga getting a starting spot on the wing and Sosene Anesi moving to fullback.
“It is great to welcome back Richard on the field again. Another pleasing aspect is seeing Sosene Anesi returning to form. He seems to have recovered well from his recent neck and ankle strains and is looking fast again. Sos also enjoyed some time at fullback last week, which made it easy to go with this backline.”
“While it is a tough call on Callum Bruce going to the reserves, I’m sure he will be an effective player for us off the bench this week,” he added.
Foster has made one change to forwards with Liam Messam starting at number eight and Sione Lauaki on the reserves bench.
“Sione has started in four games to date so it is time for him to freshen up a bit. I’m expecting he will play an important role for us off the bench this week.
Foster expects the Chiefs and the Stormers, who have both just come off wins last weekend, will be sharing a desire to “move the ball around” on Friday.
The Chiefs team to play the Stormers on Friday 14 March at 7.35pm at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton is:
1. Simms Davison
2. Tom Willis
3. Ben May
4. Toby Lynn
5. Kevin O’Neill
6. Faifili Levave
7. Tom Harding
8. Liam Messam
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Stephen Donald
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Richard Kahui
13. Mils Muliaina (captain)
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
16. Vern Kamo
17. Ben Castle
18. Hayden Hopgood
19. Sione Lauaki
20. Tanerau Latimer
21. David Bason
22. Callum Bruce
Note: Replacement Chiefs lock Mark Burman has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, sustained in last Friday's Waikato High Performance squad match in Taupo. He will be unavailable to play for the remainder of this Chiefs season. Burman replaced Kristian Ormsby who has a season ending shoulder injury.
The Chiefs are yet to name a lock replacement.
Note: Players not considered due to injury include: Aled de Malmanche (groin), Kristian Ormsby (shoulder), Dwayne Sweeney (haematoma) Mark Burman (knee injury), Jono Gibbes (hamstring) and Jamie Nutbrown (knee).