Chiefs rope in the big guns

 

All Blacks Liam Messam and Aaron Cruden come into the starting team, as does former international Hosea Gear.

 

Current New Zealand and World Rugby Player of the Year Brodie Retallick will make his first appearance of the season via the bench.

 

In total, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made six changes to the starting side originally named to face the Blues last week.

 

Jamie Mackintosh starts at loosehead prop in place of Pauliasi Manu while rookie Siate Tokolahi retains his spot at tighthead after coming in as a late replacement for an ill Ben Tameifuna.

 

Manu and Tameifuna have both been named in the reserves.

 

Messam will captain the side impressive debutant Johan Bardoul dropping out of the match day 23.

 

Cruden comes in at flyhalf to replace Damian McKenzie, who shifts to the bench.

 

With Tim Nanai-Williams and James Marshall ruled out through injury and Gear picked to start on the left wing, James Lowe moves to fullback while Bryce Heem, who was another late replacement against the Blues, retains his spot on the right wing.

 

Hooker Quentin MacDonald and Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu are the new faces in the reserves.

 

Chiefs: 15 James Lowe, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Maama Vaipulu, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Replacments: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Ben Tameifuna, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.

 

Date: Friday, February 20

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEDT; 06.35 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Assistant referees: Shane McDermott (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)

TMO: Glen Newman (New Zealand)