Chiefs v Hurricanes: Teams

The Chiefs have received a sizeable boost with the return of Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga for their top-of-the-table clash with the Hurricanes on Saturday.

Fresh from an away victory over the Stormers, the hosts also recall loosehead Sona Taumalolo - with Ben May moving to number three.

Lock Kevin O'Neill comes into the team for Toby Lynn and Tanerau Latimer is favoured over Serge Lilo at openside flanker.

All Blacks winger Sivivatu has been sidelined for the past six weeks due to a dislocated shoulder and completes the Chiefs' full-strength back three options alongside Masaga and captain Mils Muliaina.

Breakdown

"They've been going good. They really attack at the breakdown," said Lilo, a former Hurricanes player.

"We just have to match it really, and not sit back and defend but attack in those ruck situations. We've got to meet fire with fire."

Meanwhile, Chiefs coach Ian Foster admitted that being back on home soil is a welcome change as they look to enjoy a strong run-in.

"Having played seven away games, and only four at home so far this year, the team is excited about being at home for the last two round robin games," he said.

"The Hurricanes represent a formidable challenge, but there will be two teams out there on Saturday night that are feeling confident with their form at the moment."

Weepu starts

All Blacks scrum-half Piri Weepu returns to the Hurricanes starting line-up to play the Chiefs.

In a straight swap off the bench at half-back, Weepu returns in place of Alby Mathewson for his first start since round seven against the Sharks.

Weepu says it has been a long time coming, but he is not feeling any nerves ahead of a rare start in the number nine jersey.

"I've had like 60 minutes already at nine in the last couple of weeks, so I pretty much know the way the team's chugging along and I'm still in the frame - even when I'm at ten I'm still bossing the forwards around," he said.

One other confirmed change to the Hurricanes team that beat the Blues 45-27 in Wellington last Friday sees Cory Jane return from a calf injury at full-back.

Jane comes in for the versatile Tamati Ellison, who is bracketed with Zac Guildford on the right wing pending a late fitness test on the head knock he sustained against the Blues.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (capt), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Toby Morland, 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 David Bason, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison/Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Rodney So'oialo (capt), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Guilford/Robert Fruean.