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MAFIA TEES
Just $20 a shirt, a steal!
Not often you steal from the Mafia and live to tell the tale...
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Green look to Chiefs for finale |
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Written by Jamie Troughton
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Friday, 14 May 2010 |
It's either the mother of all hospital passes or an ideal chance to shine.
Phil Burleigh won't know exactly what to make of his starting debut for the Chiefs until after 80 minutes is up against the Blues in Auckland tomorrow night.
The Steamers midfielder started the season in the wide training group but thanks to the cataclysmic injury toll at the franchise, he's been thrust into second-five for the final game of the season.
With both teams well out of title contention, Burleigh is mixing equal parts excitement with wariness.
"We've heard they're looking to move the ball as well and they're probably looking at our team thinking they've got the wood on us," Burleigh said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they target us, especially in the backs. But we're going to take a similar approach - we've got nothing to lose so we can get out there and show our wares and prove we should be there next year."
On top of season-ending injuries to Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga and Mils Muliaina, Chiefs coach Ian Foster lost Callum Bruce (ankle sprain) and Richard Kahui (shoulder strain) for this week.
It's meant he's had to promote another wider training group rookie, Waikato 22-year-old Trent Renata, to first-five and bring in Waikato wing Save Tokula to partner Steamer Jason Hona on the flanks.
New Bay signing Tristan Moran will cover prop off the bench in his first appearance for the franchise, joining new back reserves Siale Piutau and Tim Mikkelson.
"There is no hiding the fact we have lost a lot of experience in our backline," the Chiefs coach said.
In all, the franchise has used 34 players this season, while the Chiefs backs set to run on to Eden Park boast just 75 Super 14 caps between them, of which 43 belong solely to halfback Brendan Leonard.
Burleigh, 23, had 12 minutes off the bench against the Waratahs and is hoping the effervescence of youth shines through.
"I've learned heaps this year from experienced guys like Mils and Stephen Donald and Callum Bruce.
"We'll be pretty young out there against the Blues but the guys need to have a crack at some stage and show that they compete at that level"
Team: Tim Nanai-Williams, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Phil Burleigh, Jason Hona, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (captain), Culum Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith.
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Tristan Moran, Kevin O'Neill, Luke Braid, Junior Poluleuligaga, Siale Piutau, Tim Mikkelson.
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Steamers 2011 |
| : ITM Cup |
| Position: 4 |
| 17 July: Counties, W 20-13 |
| 23 July: Harbour, W 38-17 |
| 26 July: Waikato, W 36-8 |
| 31 July: Wellington, W 32-0 |
| 4 Aug: Northland L 23-30 |
| 9 Aug: Taranaki L 33-39 |
| 13 Aug: Hawke's Bay L 13-32 |
| 20 Aug: Auckland L 16-25 |
| 23 Aug: Canterbury W 35-31 |
| 28 Aug: Southland W 29-17 |
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News and Opinion 
