Chiefs forced to change

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made two changes to his starting XV and three changes to the bench for the crunch encounter with the Crusaders in Hamilton on Friday.

Ben Tameifuna comes in at prop for Ben Afeaki, who is out this week with a calf strain.

Patrick Osborne starts on the wing.

Toby Smith, Sam Cane and Lelia Masaga move onto the replacement bench.

Bay of Plenty midfielder Kenny Lynn has been bought into the squad as midfield cover.

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Matt Vant Leven, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Dan Waenga, 22 Lelia Masaga.

Date: Friday, May 24

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (New Zealand)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)