KEY POINTS:
Strong work off the bench has been rewarded with a start at hooker for Aled de Malmanche in the Chiefs' penultimate match against the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow night.
The versatile 22-year-old has fitted in at prop and hooker in his debut Super 14 season, including one start
at loosehead prop against the Force two games ago, making an impact with his strength and enthusiasm.
Regular hooker Tom Willis is recovering from sore ribs he picked up in last weekend's fine 35-27 win over the Sharks in Hamilton but is expected to be fit for the reserves.
"This is probably a game we were targeting for Aled anyway," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said last night.
"Tom's shouldered quite a big load with us this campaign and it's given us time to really develop Aled as hooker, as well as a loose and tighthead prop. He's ready to start. He's got a huge workrate and he's a key man for us."
The only other change was anticipated: All Black fullback Mils Muliaina returns, with Sitiveni Sivivatu switching to the left wing, Roy Kinikinilau to the right and Lelia Masaga going to the bench.
Muliaina's last full match was his 47th test against Wales last November.
After All Black reconditioning, his planned return to the Chiefs was disrupted by a broken bone in a foot a few minutes into a game for the Chiefs development squad last month.
"He's ready to go and can't wait to get back on the park," Foster said.
Masaga is the joint leading tryscorer in the Super 14, with eight, alongside Sharks' winger JP Pietersen, whom he outplayed in Hamilton last weekend.
Foster admitted it was "a tight call" between Masaga and Kinikinilau as to who got the start and who went to the bench. Both have been good value this campaign, sharing 12 of the Chiefs' 38 tries.
The deciding factor was who was the fresher player, Foster said.
"Lelia's still a young man. He's done well and carried a big load for us. He's learning all the time, but we want to make sure in order to keep his speed and explosiveness that he stays fresh."
The Waratahs, long out of the semifinal running, have made two changes from the side beaten 26-25 by the Highlanders in Sydney last weekend, regular captain Adam Freier and rugged No 8 Wycliff Palu returning to the pack.
The Chiefs are fifth on the ladder, have won five of their past six games, and trail the fourth-placed Bulls on points differential. They must win to be certain of staying in the playoff race.
The Waratahs are second bottom and will be fuelled by a desire to avoid the wooden spoon. They lead fierce rivals the Reds by four points.
* Highlanders coach Greg Cooper has made two changes to his run-on side who scrambled to a 26-25 win over the Waratahs last week for their match against the Hurricanes in Wellington tomorrow.
Alando Soakai replaces Ezra Taylor in the loose forwards while Charlie Hore comes in at second five-eighths for an injured Aaron Bancroft.
Soakai's inclusion at No 7 has led to a shuffle in the loose forwards. Craig Newby moves to No 8 from the blindside flank with skipper Josh Blackie taking the No 6 jersey.
Waratahs v Chiefs
Sydney, 9.40pm tomorrow
Waratahs
15. Peter Hewat
14. Lachie Turner
13. Ben Jacobs
12. Sam Harris
11. Lote Tuqiri
10. S. Norton-Knight
9. Josh Holmes
8. Wycliff Palu
7. Beau Robinson
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Will Caldwell
4. Dean Mumm
3. Al Baxter
2. Adam Freier (c)
1. Matt Dunning
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Tim Davidson, David Lyons, Daniel Halangahu, Kurtley Beale, Chris Siale
Chiefs
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Roy Kinikinilau
13. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Tasesa Lavea
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Stephen Donald
9. Brendon Leonard
8. Sione Lauaki
7. Marty Holah
6. Liam Messam
5. Keith Robinson
4. Jono Gibbes (c)
3. Nathan White
2. A. de Malmanche
1. Simms Davison
Reserves: Two of Craig West/Tom Willis/Ben Castle, Kristian Ormsby, Steven Bates, David Bason, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Lelia Masaga