Chiefs keep the faith

The Chiefs will field their tried and tested winning combinations when they take on the Crusaders in Round Ten of the Super 14 in Hamilton on Friday.

The Chiefs will field their tried and tested winning combinations when they take on the Crusaders in Round Ten of the Super 14 in Hamilton on Friday.

The Chiefs starting line-up is unchanged from that which beat the Highlanders and Brumbies in recent clashes.

The only change is on the bench where Sosene Anesi returns to the frame after recovering from an ankle injury, leaving Viliame Waqaseduadua out of the matchday 22.

“It was a logical change to go with Sosene instead of Vili as Sosene gives us cover at both full-back and wing,” said Chiefs' coach Ian Foster.

Foster says the Chiefs, fresh from a bye week, are excited to be playing the Crusaders at home at Waikato Stadium.

“We're looking forward to being back in action after a week away,” said Foster.

“Chiefs and Crusaders matches are always great occasions and the fact they come to us unbeaten this year just makes this game even more exciting,”

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Simms Davison.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Ben May, 18 Jay Williams, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Jamie Nutbrown, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Sosene Anesi

Date: Friday, April 18
Venue: Waikato Stadium
Kick-off: 19:35 (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Brent Murray (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)