Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made several changes to his team to play the Highlanders in Friday’s Super Rugby match at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Co-captain Craig Clarke will sit out the match as a precautionary measure after receiving a slight knock to the head last week and will be replaced by Michael Fitzgerald.
Nick Crosswell will start in the No.8 jersey as Ross Filipo spends the next eight to 10 weeks recovering from a knee injury and Pauliasi Manu will come in at prop while Ben Afeaki will move to the bench.
Richard Kahui could make his long-awaited comeback, and is bracketed on the bench with Patrick Osborne.
Rennie says he’s expecting a similar battle to the Chiefs’ hard-fought 41-27 win over the Highlanders on February 22.
“It was physical and fast and this week will be nothing less.”
Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Andrew Horrell, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Nick Crosswell, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Res: Rhys Marshal, Ben Afeaki, Romana Graham/Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, August Pulu, Charlie Ngatai, Richard Kahui/Patrick Osborne.