The Chiefs have made three changes to their starting lineup to face the Vodacom Bulls in Hamilton on Friday.
In the front row, loosehead prop Mitchell Graham replaces Pauliasi Manu, who drops to the reserves. Johan Bardoul will start in the second row ahead of Michael Allardice, while injured No 4 lock Michael Fitzgerald has been bracketed with Ross Filipo as cover.
The only change to the backs sees All Blacks scrumhalf Augustine Pulu return to the run-on XV, with Brad Weber shifting to the bench. The Chiefs have also been boosted with the return of utility back Tim Nanai-Williams to the match 23.
Chiefs – 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Johan Bardoul, 4 Michael Fitzgerald/Ross Filipo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Pauliasi Manu, 19 Brian Alainu'uese, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
