Williams out of Nonu showdown
Chiefs star Sonny Bill Williams will miss this week's blockbuster clash against Super Rugby leaders Hurricanes due to a back strain, his team said on Friday.
The match-up between code-hopping Williams and All Blacks rival Ma'a Nonu was one of the most anticipated aspects of the fixture, which will see the Chiefs take aim at the Hurricanes' 10-point lead in the New Zealand conference.
But the Chiefs said Williams will have to sit out Saturday's match in Wellington after straining his back.
In a second blow to the Chiefs pivot James Lowe has also been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Their absence is a major blow for two-time champions the Chiefs, who are up against an in-form Hurricanes outfit that has lost only one of 11 matches this season.
New Zealand Under-20 star Anton Lienert-Brown will replace Sonny Bill Williams and Bryce Heem will move to the left wing, with Marty McKenzie coming onto the bench.
Chiefs – revised: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Marty McKenzie.
Date: Saturday, May 16
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Aki Aso
TMO: Vinny Munro
