Rugby: Chiefs make two changes and leave Lauaki out

The Chiefs have made two changes to their starting 15 to face the Crusaders in a Super 14 rugby match in Hamilton on Friday night, while also leaving out loose forward Sione Lauaki, who was today charged with assault.

Lauaki, who has been charged in relation to an incident in a Hamilton bar last week, had completed a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle and was eligible for selection.

However, coach Ian Foster said it was decided not to include Lauaki, given the week that he been through, adding that the player had the Chiefs' full support.

The two changes Foster have made are both in the pack, with lock Craig Clarke back from injury and hooker Aled de Malmanche coming off the bench for Hika Elliott, who strained a hamstring in training.

Foster said Clarke's speedy recovery from a groin strain suffered against the Lions in round two was the result of the good job the former Crusader did with medical staff.

"This has ensured his return at the best case scenario we gave him of three weeks, rather than the longer, but expected four to five weeks," he said.

The Chiefs, who are equal with competition leaders the Bulls on 15 points, are backing up from a home loss to the Reds last Friday night.

The defeat 18-23, which came after they had raced into an early 15-0 lead, followed a short turnaround from their successful trip to South Africa and Australia, and Foster said he was looking for a step up in performance against the Crusaders.

"I expect a real lift in our intensity, back to the levels we achieved in the first couple of weeks," he said.

"Certainly there were some individuals last week that didn't get to the level they would have wanted."