Cult hero to lead Chiefs against Lions

Jun 18, 2017 - 2:33 AM Five-eighth Stephen Donald will lead the Chiefs against the British and Irish Lions on Tuesday, with the visitors likely to field a side without any of the players expected to face the All Blacks in next week's first Test.

Donald, 33, recently achieved the 100-game milestone for the Hamilton-based Super Rugby side and attained cult status in the region after his penalty in the 2011 World Cup final helped the All Blacks end their 24-year drought for the Webb Ellis trophy.

The Chiefs have not been able to select any of their All Blacks for the clash in Hamilton as Anton Lienert-Brown, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Nathan Harris are all in camp ahead of the first Test in Auckland on June 24.

Utility back Damian McKenzie, winger James Lowe and prop Kane Hames were not included in the squad for the game at Waikato Stadium after playing for the Maori All Blacks against the Lions on Saturday.

Chiefs (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Toni Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams, Johnny Faauli, Solomon Alaimalo, Stephen Donald (capt), Finlay Christie, Tom Sanders, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Nepo Laulala, Liam Polwart, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi. Bench: Hika Elliot, Aidan Ross, Atu Moli, Liam Messam, Mitchell Karpik, Jonathan Taumateine, Luteru Laulala, Chase Tiatia.

Source: AAP