Chiefs change as Retallick returns
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World Player of the Year Brodie Retallick, will return to the Chiefs starting XV after injuring his shoulder in Round Three, as the Waikato team prepare to take on the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Chiefs have made multiple changes to their side to face the Blues.
Mitchell Graham will get his first start in the front row beside Hika Elliot, who returns after serving his one-week ban for a shoulder charge to the Sharks' Tendai Mtawarira's head in Round Six.
Augustine Pulu takes over at scrumhalf, with James Lowe returning to the left wing.
Andrew Horrell starts in the midfield at No.13, and is joined by Tom Marshall on the right wing.
Forward Quentin MacDonald comes into the reserves, alongside prop Pauliasi Manu.
Liam Squire gets the opportunity to play his first Super Rugby match of the season, having returned from injury, and is joined by Anton Lienert-Brown on the bench.
Brad Weber and Bryce Heem both move to the bench.
Coach Dave Rennie said: “The matches between these two teams are traditionally real arm wrestles.
"The Blues have plenty of high quality players and have come close nearly every week, so we will give them the respect they deserve and expect it to be an entertaining, tough match.”
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Pauliasi Manu, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Bryce Heem.
Date: Saturday, April 4
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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