Chiefs v Highlanders
Mt Maunganui, 7.35 tonight
Injuries, or more accurately coping with injuries, has been the theme of the week in Chiefs and Highlanders territory as they prepare for tonight's clash at Mt Maunganui.
The Chiefs in particular are dealing with a raft of breaks and strains as they contemplate a must-win match.
The Highlanders might
not be faced with the same make-or-break scenario - their playoff aspirations were effectively over about the same time the squads for 2010 were announced - but they have not been immune to the sort of bad luck that usually dogs contenders.
Vice-captain Jamie Mackintosh has been ruled out for at least six weeks with turf toe.
It is a blow to the Southland prop who looked to be somewhere near the form that made him a one-test All Black in 2008.
"I'm pretty disappointed to get this injury to such a small part of my body," he said.
"I feel I have been playing some good rugby but now I need to focus on the rehab and hopefully getting back to play some games at the end of the season."
Keith Cameron has been brought in to train with the team from the wider training group.
But Glenn Moore's woes pale in comparison to his Chiefs' opposite, Ian Foster. Unavailable tonight are: Sitiveni Sivivatu (knee), Tanerau Latimer (knee), Aled de Malmanche (thumb fracture), Nathan White (back strain), James McGougan (back).
That's three All Blacks and, with De Malmanche straddling both groups, three front rowers.
Promising flanker Luke Braid gets a start at openside in place of Latimer, while Hika Elliot can expect a long run at hooker, with De Malmanche expected to be out for a month.
"While there is a frustration with a growing injury list, that doesn't change the importance of this game against the Highlanders," Foster said.
"After a couple close losses the team is keen to get going and produce a good performance at home at the Mount."
They have no choice. After three ground-breaking wins on the road, the Chiefs hit a speed-bump at home against the resurgent Reds in round four.
That has turned into a potential playoff roadblock following losses to the Crusaders and Brumbies, so much so that if they are to realistically make the playoffs, they cannot afford to drop another match at home.
Over the next six weeks they play the Highlanders, Bulls, Stormers, Cheetahs and Waratahs at home.
The other notable feature of the Chiefs line-up is the start given to Mike Delany at first five-eighths. He has started three matches for the Chiefs this season, but none at pivot.
Stephen Donald moves out one to second five-eighths.
With Brendon Leonard at halfback, Lelia Masaga on one wing and captain Mils Muliaina playing custodian at the back, only Dwayne Sweeney, in to replace Sitiveni Sivivatu, has yet to pull on an All Black jersey.
Meanwhile, the Waikato Rugby Union has posted a profit of $9374 for the year ended December 31, 2009. The result was achieved on the back of a net surplus of $210,023, of which $200,649 was distributed to clubs.
The surplus was achieved mainly due to Waikato's hosting their first Tri Nations test and the Chiefs making the 2009 Super 14 final, which saw their contribution to the union increase from $15,000 in 2008 to $220,000.
More radically, WRU staff agreed to a salary reduction for four months at the end of 2009, a move that saw the union save around $100,000.
CHIEFS v HIGHLANDERS
Chiefs
Mils Muliaina (c)
Lelia Masaga
Richard Kahui
Stephen Donald
Dwayne Sweeney
Mike Delany
Brendon Leonard
Sione Lauaki
Luke Braid
Liam Messam
Culum Retallick
Craig Clarke
Ben Afeaki
Hika Elliot
Sona Taumalolo
Reserves: Vern Kamo, Toby Smith, Jarrad Hoeata, Colin Bourke; Junior Poluleuligaga, Jackson Willison, Tim Nanai-Williams.
Highlanders
Israel Dagg
Ben Smith
Kenny Lynn
Jason Shoemark
Fetu'u Vainikolo
Robbie Robinson
Jimmy Cowan (c)
Steven Setephano
Alando Soakai
Adam Thomson
Hayden Triggs
Josh Bekhuis
Clint Newland
Jason Rutledge
Chris King
Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Bronson Murray, Joe Tuineau, Tim Boys /John Hardie; Sean Romans, Mat Berquist, James Paterson.
