Former All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard will wear the No.9 jersey for the first time this Super Rugby season in one of six changes to the Chiefs’ starting line-up to face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
Leonard has come off the bench since returning from a cheek injury that sidelined him in the early weeks of the campaign.
The 13-Test veteran takes over from Augustine Pulu, who goes to the bench for Friday’s match.
In other backline changes, Andrew Horrell will be at fullback, Lelia Masaga on the right wing and Charlie Ngatai at outside centre, with Richard Kahui moving in one spot in to inside centre.
Horrell replaces the impressive Gareth Anscombe, who was recruited from the Blues as back-up five-eighth but has started at fullback for all seven matches so far.
In the pack, Fritz Lee comes back in at No.8 in a rejigged back three, while Pauliasi Manu is selected at loosehead prop.
Both sides are looking to bounce back from defeat, with the Chiefs falling to a 31-23 loss at the hands of the Reds in Hamilton last Saturday.
The defending champions remain the New Zealand conference leaders, but have dropped four points behind competition front-runners the Brumbies.
The Waratahs went down to the Hurricanes 41-29 in Wellington before their bye last weekend.
They have won three of their four matches in Sydney this season and Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is expecting them to lift at Allianz Stadium.
“They’ve been building well and will be a hell of a lot tougher at home,” he said.
“It’s a big game for both teams coming off losses.”
Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Charlie Ngatai, Richard Kahui, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (capt), Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Michael Kainga, Nick Crosswell, Tanerau Latimer, August Pulu, Gareth Anscombe, Tim Nanai-Williams.
moaman
Roar Guru
Have a bit of faith Kuruki! It is still early days in the comp and plenty of time to see whether or not the staff have a 'master-plan'. You are right about the pack not operating as they did last year;I wonder if there has been a tactical rethink somewhere and they are experimenting? Watch this space,I guess.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Dear oh dear. Here we go again. Starting to lose faith in the Chiefs coaching staff to be honest. They are mixing and matching for the heck of it and it is showing in the performances. I think they are over complicating things and i'm sure it's frustrating for the players also. The y have looked far from clinical and the pack seems to be loosening up, operating once again as individuals rather then as a unit which made them champions last season. Leonard is the most overrated player in the Super 15. He is absolutely terrible and has been living off a 6 month purple patch for his entire career. How he still makes the side is beyond me, he makes terrible decisions and gives away penalties on the regular. Please go overseas asap. He is a liability to this team.
Mushu
Roar Pro
+1 Thought Nanai was going well before Kahui's return had him benched. would love to see the two of them in the centres for a game. Think the only problem with Nanai's game is the a lapse in concentration on defence every so often.
moaman
Roar Guru
jameswm " 9.30pm across the dutch " or 'moat' as I prefer to think of it as ;-)
atlas
Guest
Cruden has been unable to kick since the first week of pre-season training - groin strain which is aggravated by goal-kicking. The number 10's curse.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Looks like bit of rotation due to the long season, and wake up call a la Cheika for a few perhaps?
Markus
Guest
Assume Cruden will take back the kicking duties. I don't think he has ever really struggled with this role, just that Anscombe was in fantastic form with the boot.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah, Brumbies v Reds is Sat night I think. Tahs v Chiefs is 7.30 Fri night, Sydney time, so 9.30pm across the dutch.
Chivas
Guest
I think it will be a tough one. Not a fan of Kahui at 2nd five for one as I don't think he us as effective closer in to the ruck. Good to see Masaga back, but if the Warratah forwards get up I see this as being a tough day at the office. Too close to call. Tahs will be motivated and at home. Chiefs put out the crap from last week on the track they'll lose for mine.
Dcnz
Guest
Chiefs will overtake the Brumbies who lose to the Reds
atlas
Guest
Patrick Osborne - hamstring strain A messy mix-up team. Risky in the kicking dept - either Horrell or Ngatai Last week read that captain Craig Clarke was to see a specialist Monday 15th re his onglong concussion problem and a return to rugby - out since March 10. No news, and not named, hope that he makes it back on the field and not career-ender. Tameifuna named - a quick recovery he was reported as being out for a week with elbow injury, they're light on front row with Schwalger and Afeaki injured too.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Will be interesting to see how Cam Crawford goes this weekend against the Chiefs. A real test of his abilities. He's a player in the Joe Roff, Cam Shepherd mould. Tough luck on Kingston I think. Still don't think Betham is that much better although he might make more mischief against tiring Chiefs defenders.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Would have loved to see Kahui at 12 and Nanai at 13. If Foley and the Tahs play like they did 2 weeks ago and the weather stays dry we could get a cracker of a game.
moaman
Roar Guru
@moaman " after watching the Brumbies-Reds forceback contest " which probably comes after? I haven't seen the weekend's draw yet....
moaman
Roar Guru
Osbourne hobbled off last week...maye still injured? Just heard Rennie on the radio saying he wants to freshen things up-it's along season etc...Question-mark hanging over who will perform goalkicking duties. The bench looks very healthy and I think the Chiefs players will be now aware (if they weren't before) that they have to work hard to guarantee themselves a run-on spot. With the Waratahs new-found attitude this game should be a tonic for those jaded after watching the Brumbies-Reds forceback contest ;-)
winston
Roar Rookie
I thought Leonard had a pretty shocking game last week, his silly penalties and such. Surprised to see him start. No room for Osbourne either? Kaks at 12 will be interesting.