Super Rugby leaders the Chiefs welcome back loose forward Liam Messam and lock Brodie Retallick among five changes to their starting 15 to face the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Sunday.

Messam missed the 34-21 win over the struggling Lions in Pukekohe last weekend with a rib injury, while Retallick was given a rest after having played in all previous nine matches.

The three other changes are also in the pack.

Try-scoring prop Sona Taumalolo comes back in, as do hooker Mahonri Schwalger and No.8 Alex Bradley.

The Reds, the defending champions, are ninth on the overall table and second in the Australian conference.

They beat the Blues at Eden Park two weekends ago, before scoring the game’s only try in a 15-11 defeat by the Crusaders in Christchurch.

“We know the Reds are starting to hit form with their top players coming back at the right time,” Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith said.

“They have targeted this game on their home track as a must-win match for them, so we are expecting an intense fixture in front of a large Sunday afternoon crowd.”

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard, Alex Bradley, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (capt), Ben Tameifuna, Mahonri Schwalger, Sona Taumalolo. Res: Hika Elliot, Toby Smith, Kane Thompson, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Jackson Willison, Robbie Robinson.