Rennie brings back Chiefs' big guns
With an embarrassment of riches for coach Dave Rennie to select from, he made a host of changes for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Stormers in Hamilton.
Fullback Gareth Anscombe and Test lock Brodie Retallick return from injury – among six changes to the Chiefs' starting XV.
Anscombe, who replaces All Black Mils Muliaina, will make his first Super Rugby appearance of the year – having had double shoulder surgery after the Chiefs won their second title last August.
Retallick has been cleared to play after he had a bad head clash in the season-opening win against the Crusaders, with last weekend's bye giving him extra time for recovery.
In other changes All Black Jamie Mackintosh is back at loosehead prop, Liam Squire gets the No.8 jersey after impressing off the bench, James Lowe wins promotion at left wing and former Crusader Tom Marshall makes his Chiefs debut at inside centre.
The match will be flank Tanerau Latimer's 100th in Super Rugby and his 95th for the Chiefs.
The four-Test All Black made his debut in the competition with the Crusaders.
Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Tom Marshall, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Michael Fitzgerald, 20 Tevita Koloamatangi, 21 Brad Webber, 22 Robbie Fruean, 23 Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Date: Friday, March 14
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT; 08.35 SA time)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant, Shane McDermott
TMO: Ben Skeen
