Chiefs v Brumbies: Teams

At Waikato Stadium, Friday, 15 May, kick-off 7.35pm (8.35am BST)

The Chiefs are at full strength for their clash with the Brumbies on Friday, with Brendon Leonard passed fit to return at scrum-half.

Leonard returns after missing three games with a sternum injury, for a match from that the Chiefs need just a bonus point from to guarantee a semi-final place.

A win gives them the semi-final at home, though, so there is an extra incentive.

Leonard's return is one of two changes, with prop James McGougan selected at tighthead, Ben May moving to loosehead and Sona Taumalolo dropping to the bench.

In-form centre Richard Kahui has also been cleared to start after picking up a bruised calf against the Hurricanes.

Recalls

Clyde Rathbone is recalled for the Brumbies' must win game in Waikato on Friday.

The Brumbies remain in the race for the Super 14 finals and can guarantee themselves a place in the top four with a bonus point win.

Rathbone's inclusion on the right wing has been made possible after inside centre Gene Fairbanks was ruled out with a hamstring tear, sustained during the Brumbies' 37-15 win over the Blues last weekend

In his place, Tyrone Smith shifts to inside centre while Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock moves from the wing to his customary role of outside centre

Mortlock, who became Super Rugby's highest ever point scorer last weekend, needs just six points to become the first player to surpass 1,000 career points in the competition.

The Brumbies forward pack has received two changes with Julian Salvi joining the starting XV at blindside flanker after Mitchell Chapman incurred a head knock against the Blues.

Stephen Moore has also been named at hooker after being forced out prior to last weekend's match with a hamstring injury.

Confidence

Brumbies head coach Andy Friend says Rathbone and Salvi's inclusion should provide little disruption to the side.

"These make-or-break matches are the ones players love to be a part of," he said. "This is a great opportunity for Clyde after what has been a disrupted year with injury, but he has the experience in these big games and he knows what it takes to get the result.

"It's extremely disappointing for both Gene and Mitch as they've both been excellent for us over the past five or six matches but again this presents a great opportunity for Jules Salvi, who has been extremely consistent for us this year

"The breakdown will again be an extremely important area - as it is against all New Zealand sides - and having both Jules and George Smith on the field attacking the ball will be beneficial for us."

The Brumbies have returned to a traditional four-forward, three-back bench, with academy member Sanualio Afeaki named in the 22-man squad for the first time this year after earning six Super 14 caps in 2008.

Friend says the Brumbies are ready for their match against the competition's second-placed side.

"We've still got our destiny in our own hands, so we know what we have to do," he said. "While bonus points are extremely valuable at this time of year, the number one focus is winning the match otherwise you run the risk of forfeiting four competition points in the interest of chasing four tries.

"The Chiefs are one of - if not the - form side of the competition, having won eight of their past nine matches They've got plenty of pace and flair out wide but they showed last week that they know how to grind out a win as well.

"We showed last week that our defensive systems can stand up against strong attacking sides and we need to ensure that we turn up and continue to dominate the physical contest again."

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 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 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Dwayne Sweeney, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Julian Salvi, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore/Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds/John Ulugia, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 25 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Henry Vanderglas, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Sanualio Afeaki.