Chiefs coach Warren Gatland has named his team to tackle the Blues in a Super Rugby Aotearoa match in Hamilton on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 09:05 (SA time).

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Tickets are selling fast with an anticipated crowd of well over 20 000. Chiefs fans will not only be celebrating their side's first home game of the tournament, but utility back Shaun Stevenson will run out on the right wing for his 50th game in a Chiefs jersey.

Elsewhere, lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi will move from the bench into the starting XV to combine with last week's debutant Tupou Vaa’i, in the only changes to the Chiefs forward pack.

All Blacks scrumhalf Brad Weber will again captain the side in the absence of Chiefs and All Blacks captain Sam Cane. Weber will combine with experienced flyhalf Aaron Cruden at No 10 in the only change from last week's starting backline, with Kaleb Trask providing cover on the bench.

The Chiefs reinforcements of prop Reuben O’Neill, loose forward veteran Adam Thomson, rookie Lisati Milo-Harris and electrifying back Solomon Alaimalo will complete an exciting 23-man line-up.

Gatland told the Chiefs' official website that they were eager to return to Waikato Stadium after the narrow 28-27 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

"Last week against the Highlanders we weren't clinical enough and they capitalised on those opportunities we gave them. This week we need to be sharper and deliver a more dominant performance.

"The Blues have some great playmakers and will be a dangerous team. They performed well last week against the Hurricanes and will be hoping to back it up again.

"The guys are excited to run out to the field in front of what is expected to be a near capacity crowd. It is now up to us to deliver for them and show our thanks for their support," said Gatland.

Gatland concluded by congratulating Stevenson on his milestone.

"Shaun is a talented player, who has great attacking ability. He has already demonstrated that earlier this year on a number of occasions and we hope this weekend he can celebrate in a similar fashion."

Teams:

Chiefs

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Tupou Vaa'l, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1 Aidan Ross

Substitutes: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Reuben O'Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo

Blues

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman

Substitutes: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt Duffie