Chiefs announce team to play Lions at Coca-Cola Park
Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg captured on camera by Chris Botes
Sione Lauaki will captain the Chiefs for the first time in a Rebel Sport Super 14 match when the Chiefs take on the Lions this weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Lauaki, who last week was ruled out of contention due to an abscess on his arm, will start at number eight. Liam Messam will again feature on the blindside, with Chiefs rookie Luke Braid making up the loose forward trio, starting on the openside flank.
Braid will earn his first Chiefs cap, while halfback Junior Poluleuligaga and lock Culum Retallick are set to enjoy their first Chiefs starts after debuting for the Chiefs off the bench last weekend.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster had a fully fit squad to select from this week.
Returning into the frame is second five-eighth Callum Bruce who slots into the midfield to combine with Richard Kahui (centre) and Stephen Donald (first five-eighth). Bruce had injured his knee in the last pre-season match in early February. Meanwhile, Dwayne Sweeney is set to start on the right wing after recovering from a fever which saw him pulled from the Chiefs starting line-up the day of the Sharks game.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: “we’ve all enjoyed our second week in Durban and are now excited to fly up to Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon for our next match.”
“It is good to have Sione, Callum and Dwayne back from injury and illness respectively. Their return is an opportunity to make some changes, as well as to freshen the squad up.”
“Playing the Lions at Ellis Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Chiefs in the past. We know it will be a tough game but we go into this with a lot of confidence from the Sharks win.”
Chiefs Team vs Lions
19 Feb 10
20:00
Coca-Cola Park
Johannesburg, South Africa
1 Sona Taumalolo
2 Aled de Malmanche
3 Nathan White
4 Craig Clarke
5 Callum Retallick
6 Liam Messam
7 Luke Braid
8 Sione Lauaki
9 Junior Poluleuligaga
10 Stephen Donald
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu
12 Callum Bruce
13 Richard Kahui
14 Dwayne Sweeney
15 Mike Delany
16 Hikawera Elliot
17 Ben Afeaki
18 Jarrad Hoeata
19 Tanerau Latimer
20 Brendon Leonard
21 Jackson Willison
22 Tim Nanai-Williams
[Info from SARugby.com]
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