Aaron Cruden will start at flyhalf in one of two changes to the Chiefs starting lineup for the Vodacom Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.
All Blacks scrumhalf Brad Weber will once again lead the team as captain Sam Cane remains sidelined with a back strain.
In the only change to the backline, Cruden – who was on the bench for the opening-round loss against the Highlanders – rotates in with Kaleb Trask reverting to the substitutes.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged, meaning wing Shaun Stevenson will run out on the right wing for his 50th Chiefs appearance.
The other change to the team comes in the second row as Naitoa Ah Kuoi will move from the bench into the No 5 jersey to partner last week’s debutant, Tupou Vaa’i.
On the bench, the Chiefs have brought in reinforcements in prop Reuben O’Neill, loose-forward veteran Adam Thomson, rookie Lisati Milo-Harris and electrifying back Solomon Alaimalo.
Chiefs – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber (c), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Subs: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo.
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Photo: Twitter/@ChiefsRugby
