Superstar Damian McKenzie returns to fly-half for the Chiefs in their intriguing clash against the Blues this weekend.
Alongside him in the half-back pairing is scrum-half and co-captain Brad Weber, whilst in the centres Daniel Rona gets rewarded with a start next to Rameka Poihipi.
Prolific try-scoring star Shaun Stevenson returns to full-back this week and is joined by wings Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa in an exciting back-three.
In the forward pack Olli Norries, Samisoni Taukei’aho, and John Ryan line up in the front-row with the lock pairing of veteran Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i completing the tight five.
Sam Cane co-captains from the side of the scrum with hard-running Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson alongside him in the loose trio.
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Meanwhile, on the pine, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross and George Dyer are the front-row options, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Pita Gus Sowakula as the other forward replacements.
Bryn Gatland and Liam Coombes-Fabling join the exciting Cortez Ratima as backline cover.
Massive game
Head coach Clayton McMillian believes the side is relishing the challenge of facing the Blues.
“This is a game that the boys look forward to,” said McMillan.
“They are our closest neighbours and they are a team stacked with All Blacks.
“They understand how they want to play and they have the ability to impose that game on you if you allow them. They present a significant challenge.
“The rivalry seems to bring the best out in both teams and I anticipate this will be a very physical contest.
“We owe it to our loyal supporters to deliver a performance that they can be proud of and hope they arrive in droves to witness what should be a barn-stormer.”
The team
Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 John Ryan, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 George Dyer, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Pita Gus Sowakula, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Liam Coombes-Fabling
Date: Saturday, April 1
Venue: FMG Stadium, Waikato
Kick-off: 19:05 local (07:05 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
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