Chiefs v Waratahs: Teams

The play-off chasing Waratahs have made sweeping changes for their trip to the Chiefs on May 8.

Prop Benn Robinson and centre Rob Horne return to the starting XV for the first time since round nine, while Luke Burgess is back at scrum-half and flanker Pat McCutcheon has been handed his first Super 14 start.

There are also made a number of positional changes with Australia international Berrick Barnes selected at fly-half for the first time since the second round, while Tom Carter and Horne reunite in the centres.

The Waratahs sit just one point outside the top four but need victory against the Chiefs - and the Hurricanes in the final round on May 14 - to ensure themselves a spot in the post-season.

Confident

"Bringing players back the quality of Benn Robinson and Rob Horne will be a real boost," said Waratahs coach Chris Hickey.

"They've really worked hard to ensure they're in the best possible shape for this match and we wouldn't take them in to the game if they weren't confident in their own ability to do the job.

"Pat McCutcheon provided a lot of energy when he came onto the park for his debut last week and his opportunity to earn a run-on cap at Super 14 level if probably overdue."

Hickey defended his choice to make so many changes for such a vital game.

"It might seem like a big change to have different players in our nine, 10, 12 and 13 jerseys from what took to the park last week, but in reality these guys have all played and trained a lot together," he added.

"Tom has played outside Berrick for most of the season, and Rob played outside Tom as a 12-13 centre pairing for most of 2008 and 2009 so there will be no problem with those guys working together."

Great performance

Chiefs coach Ian Foster has made just one change to his starting team, with Kevin O'Neill in at lock.

O'Neill takes the place of Culum Retallick in the number five jersey alongside Craig Clarke while the rest of the line-up remains unchanged after their 33-27 defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Chiefs will be desperate to finish the season on a high following a strong start to 2010 being railroaded by injury and some below-par efforts.

"This is a big game for both teams," said a hungry Foster, who is set to stick with stand-in fly-half Callum Bruce as his goal-kicker in Hamilton.

"We know it is a do or die situation for the Waratahs. For the Chiefs we have been really pleased with the improvement in our game over the last two weeks, and we are determined to put on a great performance in our last game at Waikato Stadium."

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (capt), 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Phil Burleigh, 22 Save Tokula.

Waratahs: 15 K Beale, 14 L Turner, 13 R Horne, 12 T Carter, 11 D Mitchell, 10 B Barnes, 9 L Burgess; 1 B Robinson, 2 T Polota-Nau, 3 A Baxter, 4 D Mumm, 5 K Douglas, 6 P McCutcheon, 7 P Waugh (capt), 8 B Mowen
Replacements: 16 D Fitzpatrick, 17 D Palmer/J Tilse, 18 C Thomson, 19 D Dennis, 20 J Holmes, 21 D Halangahu, 22 S Anesi