Kerr-Barlow blow for Chiefs
Scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been ruled out for about two months with a fractured hand – which have also dealt his All Black prospects a cruel blow.
Kerr-Barlow suffered the injury during his team's 28-27 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington last weekend, when his fist made contact with Aaron Cruden's head during a tackle.
Cruden suffered a cut head during the incident but carried on, as did Kerr-Barlow, only for the fracture to be diagnosed this week.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie confirmed the injury on Wednesday, when he announced the team to play the Sharks.
For Kerr-Barlow, who missed several matches with concussion he suffered in his side's 30-26 win over Jaguares in Round Four, it is a massive setback.
Adding to Rennie's injury issues, wing James Lowe and midfielder Charlie Ngatai are again unavailable due to shoulder injuries.
Also not considered for selection as a result of injuries are Nepo Laulala, Mitchel
l Karpik, Augustine Pulu, Johan Bardoul, Pauliasi Manu, Sam Henwood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Michael Allardice, Tom Sanders, Maama Vaipulu, Atu Moli and Glen Fisiiahi.
Rennie has made five changes to the starting XV which defeated the Hurricanes in a one-point thriller last Saturday.
In the forwards Hika Elliot and Japan Test prop Hiroshi Yamashita will pack down alongside Taranaki loosehead Mitchell Graham, who makes his seventh consecutive start for the Chiefs.
Dominic Bird returns from injury to partner Brodie Retallick at lock.
Taleni Seu is promoted from the replacements to wear the No.6 jersey, alongside co-captain Sam Cane and No.8 Michael Leitch.
Among the backs Anton Lienert-Brown returns from injury to start at inside centre. He is joined in the mid-field by Taranaki's Seta Tamanivalu at centre.
Brad Weber starts at scrumhalf, with support from co-captain Aaron Cruden at flyhalf.
Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu and Damian McKenzie complete the backline at No.11, No.14 and No.15 respectively.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sam McNicol, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Kane Hames, 19 James Tucker, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Shaun Stevenson.
Date: Friday, April 29
Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time, 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
