Chiefs shuffle the deck
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper has reshuffled his matchday 23 ahead of this weekend’s derby match against the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
A new front row of Atu Moli, Nathan Harris and Angus Ta’avao will start, with Moli at loosehead shifting Ta’avao to tighthead.
Harris returns to start with Liam Polwart named as reserve hooker.
Lock Michael Allardice will captain the side in the absence of co-captain Brodie Retallick who is on All Blacks leave. The return of Allardice sees Tyler Ardron move back to No.8 and Taleni Seu shift to the bench.
Two changes have been made in the backs with Solomon Alaimalo returning at fullback while Tumua Manu moves back to start at centre.
A reshuffle in the reserves bench sees the inclusion of loosehead prop Tevita Mafileo to the matchday squad along with scrumhalf Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, experienced flyhalf cover Stephen Donald and midfield cover Alex Nankivell.
Sosefo Kautai and Jesse Parete remain as tighthead and loose forward cover.
Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tyler Ardron, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Atu Moli.
Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Jesse Parete, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Alex Nankivell.
Date: Saturday, April 27
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
