Chiefs select Luaki for Brumbies clash
Sione Luaki playing for Chiefs
Chiefs coach Ian Foster has selected Sione Lauaki for the match against the Brumbies despite the player’s admission of guilt to assault.
Lauaki will be sentenced on May 6 after punching a man in the face twice in a bar in Hamilton.
His reinstatement is just one of a number of changes to the Chiefs’ team. Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney and Romanag Graham are all out, with Jackson Willison in the centre to replace Bruce, Cullum Retallick replacing Graham and Tim Nanai-Williams replacing Sweeney in the squad.
In the pack, Ben Afeaki starts at tighthead prop and teams up with Sona Tauamalolo and Aled de Malmanche in the front row
“We’ve enjoyed the break and been given plenty of time to hone up on some areas of our game,” said coach Ian Foster.
“The Brumbies have been playing well and they enjoyed a good start to their season. They also have a good record at Canberra Stadium. However, that makes this game that much more exciting and challenging for us.”
Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Nathan White, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Date: Friday, 26 March
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Paul Marks (Australia), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Television match official: Matthew Goddard (Australia)
[Info from PlanetRugby.com]
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