Kahui hits fifty for the Chiefs
The Chiefs, who are currently sitting on the top of the New Zealand conference and second on the Super Rugby table and are ready to tackle the Waratahs on Saturday.
There are returns from injury for hooker Hika Elliot and flying wing Lelia Masaga to boost the Hamilton side.
Elliot takes over from Mahonri Schwalger in the No.2 jersey, while Masaga makes a slightly more tentative return from the bench.
The match against the Waratahs will mark Richard Kahui’s 50th game for the Chiefs.
“Reaching 50 games for the Chiefs will be a special achievement,” Kahui said. “Every match in this competition is tough so after the bye the boys will be ready for another brutal encounter on Saturday.”
The Chiefs will then head off shore for three weeks after the match, where they head to Perth to play the Western Force and then fly to South Africa for matches against the Cheetahs Sharks.
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 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 Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Date: Saturday March 31
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 06.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Glen Jackson * (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
