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Muliaina at centre for depleted Chiefs

Thursday 15th May 2008

Kingpin: Mils Muliaina moves from 15 to 13 for the Chiefs

Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina will start at centre against the Sharks on Saturday in their all-important last round Super 14 clash in Durban.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster on Thursday named a matchday 22 containing a couple of brackets and some player changes - reflecting the injury woes sustained in the Chiefs camp over the past fortnight.

Muliaina moves from full-back to centre with Sosene Anesi set to wear the number fifteen jersey.

Elsewhere in the backs, Brendon Leonard, who only arrived in South Africa earlier this week, returns to wear the number nine jersey and will combine with Stephen Donald at fly-half. Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, is bracketed with Viliame Waqaseduadua

In the forwards lock Jono Gibbes returns to the staring line-up after a long lay-off due to a badly torn hamstring and is paired with Kevin O'Neill. Tom Willis returns as hooker, supported by props Aled de Malmanche and Ben Castle.

Number eight Sione Lauaki, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained last weekend against the Lions, is bracketed with loose forwards Hayden Hopgood and Faifili Levave.

"This tour has been very frustrating from an injury perspective, with this week being particularly hard for our medical staff," Foster said on the Chiefs website who added that his side were "determined to give it everything."

"However, the team is getting more settled as the week goes on and we are certainly looking forward to Saturday's match.

"With seven wins already in this competition we know we can perform at the top level but the amount of significant injuries has again been a concern.

"We take confidence from those past performances and are determined to give it everything this weekend," added Foster.

Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Mils Muliaina (c), 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu/Viliame Waqaseduadua, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki/Hayden Hopgood/Faifili Levave, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Jono Gibbes, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Aled de Malmanche.
Replacements: 16 John Paeranga, 17 Nathan White, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Sione Lauaki/Hayden Hopgood/Faifili Levave, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Viliame Waqaseduadua/Murray Williams.

Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Brett Bowden (Australia), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)