The injury-hit Chiefs have called up big Baby Blacks frontrower Ben Tameifuna in one of several changes to their squad to face the Blues in Friday night’s Super Rugby clash in Hamilton.

The 138kg prop, a member of the New Zealand Under-20s’ Junior World Championship-winning side last year, will pack down at tighthead for his Super Rugby debut.

He will see a familiar face when he looks across to the other side of the scrum – cousin Sona Taumalolo will be at loosehead.

The inclusion of Tameifuna, 20, is one of six changes to the Chiefs’ starting line-up.

Three of those are forced by injury, with prop Ben Afeaki, halfback Brendon Leonard and winger Lelia Masaga all making premature exits during the 23-19 defeat to the Highlanders, as did substitute prop Toby Smith.

Coach Dave Rennie has also made changes at hooker, openside flanker and No.8, with Mahroni Schwalger, Tanerau Latimer and Kane Thompson coming in for Hika Elliot, Sam Cane and Fritz Lee, who go to the bench.

The four other reserves – Shane Cleaver, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell and Declan O’Donnell – will make their Super rugby debuts if they take the field.

Chiefs: Robbie Robinson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Tim Nanai-Williams, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (capt), Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke, Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo. Res: Hika Elliot, Shane Cleaver, Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Declan O’Donnell.