By Robert Lowe of NZPA

Auckland, Feb 12 NZPA - Coach Ian Foster is philosophical about having to deal with the familiar problem of injuries as the Chiefs head into their Super 14 rugby season opener against the Sharks in Durban on Sunday (NZ time).

The Chiefs will be without stand-in skipper Sione Lauaki, after the bullocking No 8 had an abscess on his arm drained yesterday.

Midfield back Callum Bruce, who strained a knee in the pre-season fixture against the Hurricanes last week, has also been left out to allow him more time to get fully fit.

However, Foster is confident the Chiefs, who made it their first final last year despite losing key players during the campaign, can take the latest setbacks in their stride.

"I think there's a great composure around the team at the moment," he said today.

"If you look around them, particularly the starting line-up, it's a reasonably settled unit."

Foster said Lauaki hadn't been able to train after his arm, which was got a cut against the Hurricanes, flared up at the start the week and gradually got worse.

He was hopeful Lauaki would be available when the Chiefs take on the Lions in Johannesburg next week.

"It's disappointing, for Sione particularly," he said.

"He was really building himself up nicely. I know he was desperate to get on the park as captain and as a player."

Lauaki was last month named as replacement skipper for fullback Mils Muliaina, who has been given the first three rounds off.

His unavailability means flanker Liam Messam will take over the captaincy, while Bay of Plenty skipper Colin Bourke goes to No 8.

Bruce's absence sees Jackson Willison take the No 12 jersey, while usual first five-eighth Mike Delany fills in at the back for Muliaina.

On the bench, Foster has gone for five forwards, including two props in James McGougan and Super 14 debutant Ben Afeaki.

He said the decision was based on the opposition and the expected conditions at Absa Stadium.

"The Sharks have got a very experienced pack and it's going to be hot and humid," he said.

"We feel a 5-2 split gives us the ability to deal those conditions in the best way."

The versatility in the back division with the likes of Dwayne Sweeney, who will start on the wing, All Black tourist Delany and youngster Tim Nanai-Williams, who has been included on the bench, also played a part in the thinking.

Meanwhile, the off-field dramas surrounding the Sharks haven't filtered through to Foster and the Chiefs.

The Sharks have named backrower Willem Alberts among their reserves despite the on-going row with Lions over his and fullback Louis Ludik's eligibility.

They have also been hit by the sudden retirement of first five-eighth Steve Meyer on the eve of the new season.

Meyer had returned to the Sharks after three years with French club Perpignan and would have provided playmaking options after injury to Juan Martin Hernandez.

Foster said he had no idea what effect the Alberts/Ludik issue would have on the Sharks, while he hadn't been aware of Meyer's decision.

What he did know was that the Sharks would be looking to take full advantage of home advantage and conditions they were more used to.

"They've played some pretty consistent rugby the last couple of years," he said.

"They're perhaps frustrated they haven't quite fulfilled their expectations, so we're expecting them to be very determined."