Rugby: Chiefs suffer injury blow as Kahui ruled out

Chiefs centre Richard Kahui has failed to recover from a calf injury. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The Chiefs' injury woes have deepened ahead of Friday's Super 14 rugby semifinal against the Hurricanes here after All Blacks centre Richard Kahui was ruled out with a calf injury.

Kahui, who sustained the injury during the Chiefs' 16-8 victory over the Hurricanes in what amounted to a dress rehearsal on May 9, missed the final regular season match against the Brumbies last weekend.

He was unable to train on Monday, had further scans, and although the bruising is not serious, head coach Ian Foster said he could not be risked for the Chiefs' second semifinal appearance since Super rugby began in 1996.

The eight-test All Black was the only selection issue to be clarified by Foster.

Kahui's unavailabilty is a significant setback for the Chiefs given fellow-All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith form arguably the most potent midfield in the competition.

Utility back Dwayne Sweeney, who has played second five-eighth, on the wing and previously at centre during his third campaign, is paired with Callum Bruce.

Elsewhere the composition of the side offered few surprises.

The loss of prop Ben May to a season-ending knee-injury sees Hawke's Bay's Sona Taumololo promoted to the starting front row to start at loosehead.

Bay of Plenty's Joe Savage, named in the 22-man squad for only the second time this season, is promoted to the reserve bench.

Openside flanker Tanerau Latimer missed Monday's training session as he rested a neck strain but he has been passed fit to contemplate a breakdown duel with Scott Waldrom, who narrowly won the nod for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour last November as Richie McCaw's deputy.

Brendon Leonard's injury-ravaged season sees him sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained against the ACT Brumbies meaning Toby Morland starts against the Hurricanes for the second time this season.

Chiefs
Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Dwayne Sweeney, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Toby Morland, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, James McGougan, Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Joe Savage, Toby Lynn, Serge Lilo, David Bason, Mike Delany, Sosene Anesi.

- NZPA