Chiefs stalwart Mark Ranby will play his last Chiefs home match at Waikato Stadium this Saturday night when his team take on the Waratahs in Round 13 of the Rebel Sport Super 14.
Ranby, who is set to play rugby in Japan next month, starts at centre this weekend alongside Sam Tuitupou at second five-eighth.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster has made other changes to the Chiefs backline for Saturday’s match, opting to start David Hill at first-five eighth, with Stephen Donald on the bench, and Mils Muliaina moving to fullback.
In the forwards Jono Gibbes returns from injury to captain the Chiefs and will play at blindside flanker. Hooker Aleki Lutui starts in the Chiefs front row, with Scott Linklater being called up from the Chiefs Wider Training group to cover him in the reserves bench. Should Deacon Manu come off the bench this weekend, he will be playing his 50th game for the Chiefs.
Tom Willis is unavailable for selection this week due to concussion following Chris Masoe’s tackle in last week’s Hurricanes match.
The Chiefs v Waratahs match will be played on Saturday 6 May at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Kick off is 7.35pm.
The Chiefs team is:
1. Simms Davison
2. Aleki Lutui
3. Nathan White
4. Bernie Upton
5. Sean Hohneck
6. Jono Gibbes (captain)
7. Marty Holah
8. Steven Bates
9. Byron Kelleher
10. David Hill
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Sam Tuitupou
13. Mark Ranby
14. Anthony Tahana
15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves: 16.Scott Linklater, 17. Deacon Manu, 18. Kristian Ormsby, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Jamie Nutbrown, 21. Stephen Donald,22. Sosene Anesi.
