22nd January 2010 03:11PM

On the eve of his Chiefs captaincy debut Sione Lauaki is both excited and nervous at the same time.

Lauaki, recently named interim captain for the Chiefs in the first three rounds of the Rebel Sport Super 14, will lead the Chiefs tomorrow (Saturday 23 January) in their first preseason hit out in Dunedin.

The powerful 28-year-old loose forward is relishing the opportunity to lead his Chiefs side - a team he's played for since his debut back in 2004.

"It was pretty humbling, but at the same time an honour and privilege to captain the side early in our campaign," says Lauaki.

"I'm both excited and nervous at the same time."

With the preseason games finally upon the Chiefs, captain Lauaki says the squad will be concentrating on the set piece and sorting out defence systems.

"We really want to lay down the foundations for the season and that's what we want to get from our preseason games."

Lauaki is named to play at number eight against the Highlanders at Carisbrook this Saturday afternoon.

Regular Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina is on an extended off-season break, negotiated in his national contract renewal last year, and subsequently with miss the first three rounds of this year's Rebel Sport Super 14.