Chiefs change for home finale
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie made several changes to his team to play the Hurricanes in their final home game of the season, at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton this Friday.
Changes to the side will see Jamie Mackintosh starting at prop, Tawera Kerr-Barlow at scrumhalf, with Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams in the midfield.
Asaeli Tikoirotuma and James Lowe start on the wings with Tom Marshall at fullback.
Rhys Marshall comes onto the bench and is joined by Nick Barrett, who has the chance to make his Super Rugby debut – with Josh Hohneck out with a broken thumb.
Augustine Pulu, Gareth Anscombe and Bundee Aki all move to the replacement bench.
Co-captain Liam Messam hopes the home crowd can give the team a lift as they desperately cling to their fading play-off hopes.
"With the New Zealand conference so close, that huge vocal support is going to be important," Messam said.
"We know how crucial this match is and want to play well for our fans and our boys leaving."
Friday's encounter – as the Chiefs last home game for the season – will mark the official farewell for Chiefs players, Tanerau Latimer, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Bundee Aki and Mils Muliaina, who are all heading off-shore to continue their careers.
Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Mike Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Nick Barrett, 19 Matt Symons 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Agustine Pulu, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Bundee Aki.
Date: Friday, July 4
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Brendan Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
