The Chiefs have rung the changes for their last regular season Super Rugby game against the visiting Hurricanes in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Eight players come into the starting side, including an all-new front row, openside Sam Cane rested again and fellow All Black Sonny Bill Williams back after a long injury break.
Sonny Bill Williams Photo: Photosport
Pauliasi Manu, Quentin MacDonald and Ben Tameifuna will combine to make the starting front row with Hika Elliot rested, while lock Matt Symons also returns to the run-on XV.
Michael Leitch will shift to flanker while Cane takes his second pre-arranged All Blacks break, and Maama Vaipulu will wear the No.8 jersey.
Brad Weber will take over the starting halfback duties this week with Augustine Pulu in the reserves, while James Lowe and Hosea Gear are bracketed on the left wing.
Seven different players come onto the bench in all, with Taranaki's Rhys Marshall and Mitch Crosswell joining Siate Tokolahi, Jamie Mackintosh, Michael Fitzgerald, Augustine Pulu and Andrew Horrell on the pine.
Both the Chiefs and the Hurricanes have already made the playoffs, with the Wellington-based side topping the table, while the Chiefs are in a dogfight with the Highlanders and the ACT Brumbies for the fourth qualifying place. The Chiefs currently edge the Dunedin-based outfit by just one point scored for that spot, with the Brumbies a point further back. The Canberra side host the Crusaders on Saturday and the Highlanders visit the Blues on Friday.
Chiefs:
1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Quentin MacDonald
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Matt Symons
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam (c)
7. Michael Leitch
8. Maama Vaipulu
9. Brad Weber
10. Marty McKenzie
11. James Lowe/Hosea Gear
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Bryce Heem
15. Tom Marshall
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jarrod Firth
18. Jamie Mackintosh
19. Michael Fitzgerald
20. Mitchell Crosswell
21. Augustine Pulu
22. Andrew Horrell
23. Damian McKenzie
Meanwhile, rising coach Kieran Keane is leaving the Tasman Makos after the upcoming provincial rugby season to join the Chiefs.
Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Tony Lewis has confirmed to Radio New Zealand that Keane is leaving, while Tasman assistant coach Leon MacDonald will take over the head coaching role at the Makos.
Keane is likely to replace departing assistant coach Tom Coventry at the Chiefs.
