Steelers coach overhauls starting lineup for second Chiefs Cup clash

Steelers coach overhauls starting lineup for second Chiefs Cup clash

Counties Manukau PIC Steelers head coach Tai Lavea has made wholesale changes to his Bayleys Cavaliers squad ahead of their second Chiefs Cup outing this weekend.

The Bayleys Counties Manukau Cavaliers are set to take on provincial rugby rivals, Taranaki, at Hamilton’s Fred Jones Park on Saturday with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

On the back of a first-up 54-10 loss to Waikato a fortnight ago, Lavea has opted to make significant changes to his roster.

Only five players from that starting XV will take the field at kick-off with significant positional changes confirmed including a new starting front row.

Chiefs squad members Donald Maka (hooker) and Orbyn Leger (second-five) have been named to play while halfback Cam Roigard and hooker Ioane Moanonu, fresh from being included in a wider New Zealand under-20s squad, are expected to pull on the red, black and white this Saturday.

Mickey Woolliams will captain the side while Kobe Steelers loose forward Go Maeda, in New Zealand to gather some experience due to his team’s relationship with the Chiefs, has also been included on the bench.