The powerful loose forward Sione Lauaki will captain the Chiefs for the first time in a Super 14 rugby match when they play the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday morning.
Lauaki was ruled out last week due to an abscess on his arm and will start at number eight with Liam Messam on the blindside, and Luke Braid on the openside .
Halfback Junior Poluleuligaga and lock Culum Retallick to get their first starts after debuting from the bench in the win over the Sharks in Durban.
Second five-eighth Callum Bruce returns to the midfield to combine with centre Richard Kahui and first-five Stephen Donald and Dwayne Sweeney will start on the right wing after recovering from a fever.
The team is: Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Culum Retallick,. Liam Messam.. Luke Braid, Sione Lauaki (c); Junior Poluleuligaga,10. Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Callum Bruce, Richard Kahui,Dwayne Sweeney. Mike Delany. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Afeaki, Jarrad Hoeata, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Jackson Willison, Tim Nanai-Williams.
