Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "the objective of this game is to get the initial contact under way and get a gauge on some of the systems we've been working hard on. This fixture also serves as a chance to start some combinations with guys who are new to the Chiefs."

Good to see new captain Sione Lauaki actaully starting a pre season game - perhaps that was one of the reasons, among others to make the big hippo captain - get him on the field pre season, so he can get fit by the time the competition proper starts.

Crazy as it seems, Chiefs tourists with the All Blacks on the end of year tour, Brendon Leonard, Mike Delany, Tanerau Latimer, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina, and Liam Messam were not considered for the preseason match. OK, maybe fair enough on Mils and Sivi, but FFS the rest of them?  They need rest from overplay?  Leonard got what, 6 seconds on tour, Donald 12, Messam 21 and Delany maybe a minute....?  You'd think those blokes would be champing at the bit to stop training, and actually pull on a pair of boots in anger, and play under the refs whistle!

The team named - a pile of wider training group players getting blooded, and a pile of Bay of plenty players.  Foster getting games into those pesky blokes before the business end of the season comes along, and he has to start playing his favourites - those blokes that usually wear the red, yellow and black of Waikato!

www.kingbrag.com should run a pool on how long Richard Kahui will last this season, or even, this match...

The Chiefs team to play the Highlanders on Saturday 24 January at 2.30pm at Carisbrook in Dunedin is:

1. Hikairo Forbes (WTG)  2. Aled de Malmanche   3. Ben Afeaki  4. Romana Graham  5. Culum Retallick  6. Colin Bourke  7. Luke Braid  8. Sione Lauaki (captain)  9. Junior Poluleuligaga  10. Trent Renata (WTG)  11. Dwayne Sweeney   12. Jackson Willison  13. Richard Kahui  14. Jason Hona (WTG)  15. Tim Nanai-Williams
Reserves: Vern Kamo (WTG), Sona Taumalolo, Nathan White, Jack Lam (WTG), Jarad Hoeata, Kevin O'Neill, Toby Lynn (WTG), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (WTG),Callum Bruce, Phil Burleigh (WTG), Siale Piutau (WTG).

WTG = Chiefs Wider Training Group players.

The upcoming preseason calendar for the Chiefs is:

Chiefs v Blues, Friday 29 January, at Albany Stadium, Auckland.  Kick off 6.00pm.
Chiefs v Hurricanes, Friday 5 February at Rotorua International Stadium.  Kick off 3.00pm.