Savea to miss match against the Chiefs due to hamstring strain

A fortnight after their stirring Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific upset of the Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika will have to try and topple another Kiwi side without their inspirational leader.

Captain Ardie Savea will miss tomorrow's match against the top-of-the-table Chiefs with a hamstring strain, one of four injury casualties from that Hurricanes match.

Coach Tana Umaga insists Savea will return in a matter of weeks as he counts the injury cost of their upset win over the Hurricanes.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, are without All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown and will trot out a new starting front row for the match in Pukekohe, which was originally scheduled to be played in Tonga.

Meanwhile, the Blues and Crusaders are grappling with high profile injuries ahead of their Saturday night blockbuster at Eden Park.

Moana Pasifika will face the Chiefs at 6.05pm tomorrow.

In other matches, the Highlanders will take on the Reds at 3.35pm Saturday, the Blues will battle the Crusaders at 6.05pm Saturday, the Waratahs will play the Brumbies at 8.35pm Saturday and the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Western Force at 6.05pm Sunday at HBF Park in Perth.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]