Chiefs v Sharks - Super Rugby match preview
The Chiefs have responded to their run of two successive defeats by making nine changes for the visit of the Sharks.
Last Updated: 25/04/13 6:49am
The defending champions have suffered losses to the Reds and the Waratahs in recent weeks so coach Dave Rennie has freshened up his line-up.
The majority of the changes come in the pack with Michael Kainga, Toby Smith, Mahonri Schwalger, captain Craig Clarke, Tanerau Latimer and Nick Crosswell all starting.
In the backs, Augustine Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams and Gareth Anscombe return to the line-up.
Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard and Charlie Ngatai drop to the bench.
The Sharks, who lost to the Chiefs in last season's final, have been hit hard by injuries.
Paul Jordaan, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Jacques Botes, Lwazi Mvovo and Louis Ludik are among the players missing for the clash.
As a result, Francois Steyn, Charl McLeod and Piet Lindeque come into the back division.
In the pack, Lubabalo Mtembu, Derick Minnie, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis and Craig Burden all start, while Wiehahn Herbst moves to loosehead.
Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Augustine Pulu, 1 Toby Smith, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 3 Michael Kainga, 4 Craig Clarke (capt), 5 Brodie Retallick, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 8 Nick Crosswell.
Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Bundee Aki, 22 Charlie Ngatai
Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Francois Steyn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Piet Lindeque, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean Deysel (capt), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Wiehahn Herbst.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 S'bura Sithole.
