Anscombe headlines Chiefs changes

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie made eight changes to his team to play the Rebels in a Super Rugby encounter in Hamilton on Saturday.

The changes to the starting line-up is headlined by the move of Gareth Anscombe from fullback to flyhalf.

It has taken an injury to All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden, but Anscombe will finally get his shot in the Chiefs No.10 jersey and the 22-year-old is determined to make the most of it.

Bundee Aki comes in at inside centre and will play his first match of the season, after having shoulder surgery in the off-season.

Mils Muliaina moves to the left wing and Tom Marshall shifts to fullback.

Changes to the pack will see Jamie Mackintosh at prop, with lock Michael Fitzgerald and flank Tanerau Latimer back in the forwards.

Kane Thompson will start in the No.8 jersey, while Liam Messam moves to the replacement bench.

Brodie Retallick takes over the captaincy duties for the match.

There are also four changes to the bench from last week.

Pauliasi Manu moves to the replacements and is joined by Ross Filipo, who gets the chance to have his first match of the season.

Jordan Payne gets the opportunity to make his Chiefs debut off the bench and could be the ninth new Chief this season to take the field.

"The boys are happy to be home and really looking forward to playing in front of a big home crowd," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said, when asked about the completion of the two-match tour to South Africa that saw them play to draws against the Bulls and Cheetahs.

"All the Australian sides have been impressive this year and the Rebels are in good form having recently – having beaten the Brumbies and narrowly losing to the Highlanders."

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mils Muliaina, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick (captain), 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Ross Filipo, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Jordan Payne.

Date: Saturday, April 12

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT; 17.35 AEST)

Referee: Matt O'Brien (Australia)

Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)