Ten changes for comeback Chiefs
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie clearly doesn't believe in continuity.
After coming away with a 34-all draw – the result of a 19-point haul in the final 10 minutes against the Bulls last week – the Chiefs have made 10 changes to their matchday squad for the Round Eight Super Rugby showdown with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
For their last match of their overseas tour the Chiefs front row remains the same, but in the forwards Michael Fitzgerald moves to flank and is joined on the other side of the scrum by Sam Cane. Liam Messam starts in the No.8 jersey.
Augustine Pulu will take control at scrumhalf.
In the backs Tim Nanai-Williams and Gareth Anscombe will start at wing and fullback.
Mahonri Schwalger has been replaced on the bench by Nathan Harris.
Schwalger has experienced an eye issue and has returned to New Zealand along with Ben Afeaki, who also went home as a safety measure after receiving a knock at training prior to the Bulls game.
New additions to the replacement bench this week are Liam Squire, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Anton Lienert-Brown and Mils Muliaina.
The two-time defending champion Chiefs are third with three wins, a draw and a loss – while the Cheetahs are in last place courtesy of four successive losses before a bye last weekend.
Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Tom Marshall, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden (captain), 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Michael Fitzgerald, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Tanerau Latimer, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mils Muliaina.
Date : Saturday, April 5
Venue : Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 02.00 AM Sunday – NZ time)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommenstein (South Africa)
