Rugby: Unorthodox trio head to the Chiefs' rescue

Ross Filipo could be called out of professional retirement to play for the Chiefs tomorrow night. Photo / Getty Images

A loose forward, a commentator and a debutant - the Chiefs' locking crisis could create a rather unorthodox combination in the second row tomorrow night in Rotorua.

The Bulls' physical forward pack may be licking their lips but the Chiefs are confident they can overcome the absence of as many as four front-line locks.

With first-choice pair Brodie Retallick and Matt Symons joined on the sidelines by Michael Allardice and possibly Michael Fitzgerald, the Chiefs' SOS call this week was answered by an unlikely trio.

First is Johan Bardoul, a loose forward by trade but signed in the off-season as a fifth locking option. He has been seen exclusively at flanker this year but he will wear the No 5 jersey against the Bulls after spending the week training in the position.

There remains a possibility Fitzgerald could join Bardoul in the lineout but, after sustaining a haematoma on his thigh against the Hurricanes, he faces a race against time to reach full fitness before tomorrow night. Which is where we meet the two other options in a file marked "Plan B".

Ross Filipo, a Herald on Sunday columnist, could be called out of professional retirement to partner Bardoul. Filipo, 36, was in the Chiefs' 2014 squad before playing the last of his nine seasons for Wellington, but has been keeping busy as a player-coach at club side Hamilton Marist.

Filipo was initially to call tomorrow's game for Sky but Chiefs assistant Andrew Strawbridge said the four-test All Black had the faith of the coaching staff.

"We do have trust in the guys we throw out each week," he said. "Ross looked pretty good out there today so we're pretty confident in him."

The same was true of Waikato lock Brian Alainu'uese, 21, who could make his Super Rugby debut after being named on the bench. He played twice in pre-season as part of the Chiefs' wider-training squad and, at 135kg, was expected to relish the rough stuff if thrown into the deep end against the Bulls.

"Brian knows how to handle himself," Strawbridge said. "I'm pretty confident Brian will make a physical statement if he gets an opportunity."

There are some signs the crisis is easing. Retallick could complete his recovery from a shoulder injury in time for next weekend's visit to the Highlanders, while Symons cleared the concussion protocols but was kept in cotton wool for another week.

But the Chiefs' health woes were not limited to the locks. James Lowe was a last scratch from the Hurricanes clash and a later scan on his right shoulder revealed the wing has suffered cartilage damage, leaving a decision soon to be made between season-ending surgery or a rehabilitation period of four-to-six weeks.

Sonny Bill Williams was another to miss last weekend's loss through injury and a minor back strain will again rule him out against the Bulls.

Augustine Pulu earned a rare start at halfback, and Mitchell Graham will start at loosehead prop in place of Pauliasi Manu.