Chiefs v Blues: Teams

The injury-hit Chiefs have been forced to make a number of changes to their line-up for the visit of the Blues on Friday.

At Waikato Stadium, Friday March 3, kick-off 6.35am

The injury-hit Chiefs have been forced to make a number of changes to their line-up for the visit of the Blues on Friday. The Waikato club were left counting the cost of their narrow defeat to the Highlanders, with Ben Afeaki, Toby Smith, Lelia Masaga and Brendon Leonard all having limped off. In total coach Dave Rennie has made six changes, with New Zealand Under-20s prop Ben Tameifuna handed his Super Rugby debut and hooker Mahonri Schwalger promoted to the starting XV. Samoa utility forward Kane Thompson starts at No.8 ahead of the benched Fitz Lee, while Tanerau Latimer gets the nod at openside. In the backs, winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma and scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow come in for Masaga and Leonard.

Promotion

There is no place in the Blues squad for All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu as coach Pat Lam makes just one change to the side that lost to the Crusaders. Nonu has teamed up with the Blues following a short stint in Japan, however the former Hurricanes back will not be considered until the tour to South Africa. The only change comes in the front-row, with Tevita Mailau coming in for the injured Charlie Faumuina at tighthead. Mailau's promotion to the starting XV means youngster Angus Ta'avao is poised to make his debut off the bench. New Zealand U20 star Gareth Anscombe is also looking to make his first appearance after being named alongside Ta'avao among the replacements. Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Fritz Lee, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Declan O'Donnell. Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Brad Mika, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Gareth Anscombe, 22 Sherwin Stowers.