By CHRIS RATTUE
The Chiefs have been forced to find a temporary replacement, and may need another, with two trial games still to go before the 2001 Super 12 begins.
Fullback Todd Miller, whose career has been beset by injuries, will miss the first three rounds against the Waratahs, Reds and Crusaders because of a knee problem.
And prop Dennis Hazelton will on Monday have a further assessment on his ankle, which is taking longer than expected to heal after an operation to remove bone chips.
He seems likely to be replaced, with Northlander Tim Knight the leading contender.
Miller's injury means he will miss at least four games this season - he will be unavailable for the round seven match against the Cats in Tauranga because he does not play on Sundays.
The Chiefs have plenty of fullback cover with Bruce Reihana, Grant McQuoid and Loki Crichton in the squad. So they will apply to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union for a wing, with no obvious stand-out candidate in mind.
North Harbour's Aisea Tuilevu may have been their man, but he is set to sign for the Highlanders today, filling the last spot, which was originally intended for South African Justin Swart.
The 28-year-old Fijian wing, who made his NPC debut five years ago for Waikato, put in a major off-season fitness campaign.
His signing would further indicate that Jeff Wilson is being lined up as a fullback by the Highlanders, rather than a wing.
The Chiefs' replacement wing prospects should include Harbour and sevens wing Karl Te Nana, Bay of Plenty's Sam Hala, Waikato's Wayne Barr and Counties-Manukau's Salesi Moimoi, although he is understood to have injurie problems.
With Hazelton struggling, the Chiefs' match against the Brumbies in Cootamundra tonight takes on extra significance for Northland's Knight, who is covering for Hazelton.
Knight could line up against Wallaby loosehead Bill Young, although the Brumbies have yet to name their starting side.
Only James Holbeck is out through injury.
The Chiefs will have to battle 40 degrees heat in tonight's trial at the bush town of 10,000 people, which is about a two hour drive from Canberra.
Chiefs: Loki Crichton, Roger Randle, Keith Lowen, Mark Ranby, Bruce Reihana, David Hill, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (capt), Marty Holah, Jonno Gibbes, Royce Willis, Mark Cooksley, Tim Knight, Paul Mitchell, Daniel Godbold.
New Zealand's Super 12 squads
2001 Super 12 schedule
Chiefs reshuffle for Super 12 warm-ups
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