The Chiefs have been rocked by news captain Mils Muliaina has been ruled out for the rest of the Super 14 season.
Chiefs captain sidelined with a broken thumb
The Chiefs have been rocked by news captain Mils Muliaina has been ruled out for the rest of the Super 14 season.
The New Zealand full-back broke his thumb in the 27-21 victory against the Highlanders - and although surgery on the injury has gone well, Muliaina is facing eight weeks out.
The 29-year-old is now facing a race against time to be fit for the All Blacks' clash against Ireland in New Plymouth on June 12.
The injury to Muliaina is the latest setback for the Chiefs, with last season's beaten finalists also seeing Aled de Malmanche, Kevin O'Neill, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tanerau Latimer, Nathan White and James McGougan sidelined.
Liam Messam will take over the captaincy in Muliaina's absence, while Dwayne Sweeney is in line for the No.15 jersey with regular full-back replacement Mike Delany having impressed at fly-half against the Highlanders.
