Chiefs coach Warren Gatland has made five changes to his 23-man squad for their Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 05:35 (SA time).
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Following a credible performance against the Crusaders last week, Gatland has named an unchanged forward pack. However, injury has forced the coach's hand to make changes to the backline. Anton Lienert-Brown has been sidelined with concussion, which sees rookie Quinn Tupaea shifting in an inside centre and Tumua Manu moving into the starting line-up at outside centre.
Electrifying fullback Damian McKenzie will run out for his 80th game in the Chiefs jersey.
On the bench, young lock Tupou Vaa'i and rookie loose forward Dylan Nel return to the match-day 23 in the only two changes to the replacement forwards. After playing club rugby last weekend, experienced scrumhalf Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi returns to the 23-man squad and is joined by fellow Bay of Plenty team-mate Kaleb Trask. Waikato’s Solomon Alaimalo completes the line-up in jersey No 23.
Gatland told the Chiefs' official website they need to learn from the three opening defeats in the competition.
"Last week against the Crusaders we put on a solid performance however a few crucial moments cost us the win in a tight battle. We need to execute those opportunities to gain the win."
"There is a great rivalry between our two teams and the boys are eager to get one back after falling short before lockdown. The Hurricanes have some elusive attacking players and are a dangerous team with ball in hand. We know they will be refreshed and eager to get a win, just like us, so it will be a tight tussle and one we know families and fans will enjoy," finished Gatland.
The Chiefs last played the Hurricanes a few days before Covid-19 forced the cancellation of the original Super Rugby season.
In that game, the Hurricanes won 27-24 thanks to a last-minute penalty from Jordie Barrett.
Both teams are yet to register a win in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Teams:
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Tumua Manu, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Mitchell Brown, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Reuben O'Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 TJ Perenara (co-captain), 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles (co-captain), 1 Fraser Armstrong
Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ben May, 18 Alex Fidow, 19 Vaea Fifita, 20 Liam Mitchell, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Wes Goosen