Brodie Retallick remains sidelined but the bulk of the Chiefs’ All Blacks are on duty for their critical Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Suva.
Retallick is expected to return from a pectoral muscle tear next week against the Brumbies, having been forced to sit out New Zealand’s Test series win over France.
However, Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has been able to call on first five-eighth Damian McKenzie, outside centre Anton Lienert Brown, flanker Sam Cane and prop Karl Tu’inukuafe for Saturday’s Kiwi derby.
Cooper will hope dynamic playmaker McKenzie can maintain his sizzling form from the third Test in Dunedin when the fifth-placed Chiefs (8-5) face the third-placed Highlanders (9-4).
All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris hasn’t travelled to Fiji as he undertakes another week of parental leave.
Retallick’s lock berth is filled by Tylor Ardon, who missed Canada’s Tests during the international window because of injury.
The Chiefs have taken matches to Suva in each of the past two seasons but they are the “visiting” team this week after the Highlanders organised their first foray into the Pacific.
Either team could yet run down the Hurricanes (10-3) to finish second in the New Zealand conference behind likely winners the Crusaders (12-2) and book a quarter-final home berth.
Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Sean Wainui, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Liam Messam, Sam Cane (capt), Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron, Michael Allardice, Angus Ta’avao, Liam Polwart, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Res: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Sam Prattley, Jeff Thwaites, Jesse Parete, Mitch Karpik, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson.