Chiefs v Blues: Teams

The Chiefs welcome back Sitiveni Sivivatu, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki and Callum Bruce for the derby Super 14 match against the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.

The return of Lauaki pushes Serge Lilo down the the bench and creates a frightening back row of Tanerau Latimer, Lauaki and Liam Messam.

Meanwhile, the returns of the other three create an equally talented back-line which also includes the in-form Lelia Masaga.

"We are pleased with our progress to date and look forward to testing ourselves against a Blues team that has just come off a good win," said coach Ian Foster.

"We're starting to show growth in key facets of our game and now need to build concentration over a full eighty minutes.

"We are still seeking more consistency, particularly going into a New Zealand derby, which are generally tight, hard fought games - just like we have experienced already this season against the Crusaders and Highlanders."

The Blues travel to Hamilton with coach Pat Lam naming an unchanged starting line-up.

The only question mark hangs over All Black prop Tony Woodcock, who has been ill with an ear infection - which forced him to withdraw from the win over the Cheetahs last Saturday.

Lam is giving Woodcock more time to recover in the hope that he will be 100 percent fit, before making the final call.

There are a couple of changes to bench, with both Anthony Boric and Paul Williams returning to the fold after being sidelined for a couple of weeks due to injury.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben May, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 James McGougan, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Justin Collins, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau/Charlie Faumuina, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Onosa'i Auva'a, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Jamie Helleur, 22 Paul Williams.