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Chiefs change nine for Sharks

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made a host of changes to the team to play the Sharks in a repeat of last years Super Rugby Final at Waikato Stadium this Saturday.

Rennie made nine changes to this weeks starting line-up.

Tighthead prop Michael Kainga gets his first start of the year in the front row, with Toby Smith at loosehead.

Hooker Mahonri Schwalger gets his second start of the season, having returned from a knee injury and is joined by lock Craig Clarke, who is back in action after a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Nick Crosswell starts at No.8, after Fritz Lee has been ruled out with a broken index finger.

Augustine Pulu gets the nod at scrumhalf.

Richard Kahui has proved to the medical team that he is fit to start, resuming the inside centre position, with Tim Nanai-Williams at outside centre and Gareth Anscombe at fullback.

Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard and Charlie Ngatai all move to the bench and are joined by Bundee Aki.

Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Michael Kainga, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Toby Smith.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Bundee Aki, 22 Charlie Ngatai.

Date: Saturday, April 27

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Chris Pollock

Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson, Shane McDermott

TMO: Glenn Newman

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