Chiefs make nine changes for Sharks

The Super Rugby defending Chiefs have completely overhauled their out-of-form team to face the Sharks, making nine starting changes from the side beaten by the Waratahs last week.

Six changes for the match in Hamilton on Saturday come in the forward pack, where the front row has been totally replaced and co-captain Craig Clarke returns at lock after missing the last four games with concussion symptoms.

No.8 Fritz Lee has broken a finger and been replaced by Nick Crosswell while Tanerau Latimer benefits from a surprise demotion to the reserve bench for openside flanker Sam Cane.

Tighthead prop Michael Kainga makes his first start of the season in place of the benched Ben Tameifuna while Toby Smith is restored at loosehead in place of Pauliasi Manu.

At hooker, Hika Elliot is dropped from the 22, allowing Samoan veteran Mahonri Schwalger to make just his second appearance of the season since damaging knee cartilage against the Stormers in round three.

The three backline changes see fullback Gareth Anscombe, centre Tim Nanai-Williams and halfback Augustine Pulu all return for Andrew Horrell, Charlie Ngatai and Brendon Leonard respectively.

Richard Kahui left the Waratahs game at halftime with a hamstring injury but has recovered to retain his second five-eighth starting spot.

Narrow losses to the Reds and Waratahs have seen the Chiefs drop to second in the New Zealand conference as they prepare for the match which is a repeat of last year’s final.

The seventh-placed Sharks are also coming off defeat and have trumped the hosts, announcing 11 player and positional changes.

Coach John Plumtree made a number of shock omissions from a side already depleted by injury.

Captain Keegan Daniel and Springboks openside flanker Marcell Coetzee both find themselves on the reserve bench, replaced by little-used No.8 Lubabalo Mthembu and Lions loan player Derick Minnie.

Hooker Kyle Cooper, halfback Cobus Reinach and lock Franco van der Merwe have all been demoted to the bench despite some solid recent form.

Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Richard Kahui, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Augustine Pulu, Nick Crosswell, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (co-capt), Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (co-capt), Michael Kainga, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Bundee Aki, Charlie Ngatai

Sharks: Riaan Viljoen, Odwa Ndungane, Francois Steyn, Meyer Bosman, Piet Lindeque, Patrick Lambie, Charl McLeod, Lubabalo Mtembu, Jean Deysel (capt), Derick Minnie, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, Craig Burden, Wiehahn Herbst. Reserves: Kyle Cooper, Danie Mienie, Franco van der Merwe, Keegan Daniel, Marcell Coetzee, Cobus Reinach, Sbura Sithole

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