Chiefs shuffle team for Canes

 

Sonny Bill Williams makes his long awaited return to rugby in the midfield and will be joined by either James Lowe or Hosea Gear on the wing. Brad Weber starts at scrumhalf with Augustine Pulu dropping down to the bench

 

Pauliasi Manu, Quentin MacDonald and Ben Tameifuna will combine to make a new starting front row with Hika Elliot rested. Lock Matt Symons also returns to the run-on fifteen.

 

Japan captain Michael Leitch will shift to flank, while All Black Sam Cane takes his second pre-arranged break with Maama Vaipulu wearing the No 8 jersey.

 

There are also a number of changes on the bench, which sees Rhys Marshall and Mitch Crosswell joining Jamie Mackintosh, Michael Fitzgerald,  Andrew Horrell and Pulu on the pine.

 

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe/Hosear Gear, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 MaamaVaipuu, 7 Michael Leitch, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Michael Fitzgerald, 20 Mitchell Crosswell, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Damian McKenzie.

 

Date: Saturday, June 13

Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

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

TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)