Former Fijian basketball international Pita Gus Sowakula has been named to start at number 8 for the Chiefs when they take on the Blues this Saturday.

Sowakula was the latest Chiefs debutant called up to their squad as injury cover and he was thrust into action 66 minutes into their 27- 22 victory over the Highlanders last Friday.

Sowakula was named the most promising player at the Taranaki Rugby awards in 2017 two years after claiming a silver medal in basketball with Fiji at the 2015 Pacific Games.

Even though the Chiefs have four consecutive wins under their belt, they are not underestimating their northern rivals, the Blues, in what promises to be a true Battle of the Bombays this Saturday.

Co‑Captain and now centurion Sam Cane is staying put in the number 7 jersey, in the backline Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi gets a start at halfback, with Jonathan Taumateine backing him up in the number 21 jersey.

The Chiefs face the Blues at 7.35pm Saturday.

The Chiefs team: Aidan Ross, Nathan Harris, Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick, Tyler Ardron, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Johnny Faauli, Anton Lienert‑Brown, Toni Pulu, Solomon Alaimalo.

Source: NZHerald