Rugby: Chiefs at full strength for crunch game

Mils Muliaina's team have experience on their side. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Halfback Brendon Leonard returns as expected in a full strength Chiefs line-up for tomorrow night's crucial last round match against the Brumbies.

Coach Ian Foster, who had a full squad to choose from for the first time since the first-round loss to the Crusaders, reinstated Leonard, tweaked his front row and recalled utility back Dwayne Sweeney to the bench for a match in which the Chiefs must claim at least one competition point to secure a semifinal spot.

One of this season's most impressive finds, Bay of Plenty prop James McGougan, returns at tighthead, with the versatile Ben May switching to loosehead and Sona Taumalolo reverting to the bench.

Captain Mils Muliaina, who sat out training earlier in the week, declared himself fully fit and there was good news on centre Richard Kahui, who trained yesterday after a badly bruised calf had threatened his participation.

The injury-free situation at the Chiefs is in stark contrast to the disruption at other Super 14 sides such as the Blues, where the number of unavailable players has reached double digits.

"It's definitely the right time to start getting some of your more experienced players back," Muliaina said. "It's probably something we haven't had the luxury of in the past.

"The hardest thing now is trying to contain our excitement levels until [tomorrow]."

The Brumbies have recalled veteran former Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone as part of a backline reshuffle prompted by the unavailability of regular centre Gene Fairbanks, who tore a hamstring in last week's victory over the Blues.

Tyrone Smith shifts to inside centre while Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock moves from the wing to outside centre.

Mortlock, who became Super Rugby's highest point scorer last weekend, needs just six points to become the first player to surpass 1000 career points.

Coach Andy Friend made two changes to his forward pack, with Julian Salvi at blindside flanker and hooker Stephen Moore back after pulling out of last weekend's match with a hamstring injury.

Chiefs
Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, James McGougan, Aled de Malmanche, Ben May.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Toby Lynn, Serge Lilo, Toby Morland, Dwayne Sweeney, Sosene Anesi.

Brumbies
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Tyrone Smith, Francis Fainifo, Matt Toomua, Patrick Phibbs, Stephen Hoiles (captain), George Smith, Julian Salvi, Peter Kimlin, Ben Hand, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore/Huia Edmonds, Ben Alexander.

Reserves: Huia Edmonds/John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Sitaleki Timani, Henry Vanderglas, Joshua Holmes, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Sanualio Afeaki.

- NZPA