Chiefs unleash their best against Bulls
The Chiefs have brought back a few of their big guns for the crunch encounter with the Bulls in Hamilton on Friday.
Currently top of the New Zealand Super Rugby conference, the Chiefs are determined to knock over one of the competition's most consistent teams.
Friday's match will be Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam's 90th match for the franchise, making him the highest capped Chief of all time – surpassing the previous record of 89 games, set by wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Coach Dave Rennie has made some changes to his starting line up with some players returning from injury.
Props Toby Smith and Ben Afeaki start, with Afeaki playing his first game for the Chiefs since his round one injury.
Jackson Willison replaces the injured Richard Kahui and Robbie Robinson comes on to the bench.
Scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow starts with Brendon Leonard moving to the reserves and Kane Thompson starts at No.8.
Chiefs: 15 Andrew Horrell, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacement: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Arizona Taumalolo, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Maritino Nemani.
Date: Friday, May 25
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (New Zealand)
TMO: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
