Chiefs shuffle back row for Blues clash

After their hard fought victory over the Highlanders last weekend, the Chiefs' tight five is again unchanged.

In the back row, Lachlan Boshier comes back into the No.6 jersey with co-captain and now centurion Sam Cane staying put in the No.7 jersey

Pita Gus Sowakula crashes his way into the starting line-up after a strong debut off the bench last week. He will wear the No.8 jersey.

In the backline, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi gets a start at scrumhalf, with Jonathan Taumateine backing him up in the No.21 jersey. Brad Weber will not feature in this game.

The last time the teams met was in a gruelling derby at Eden Park in Round Three. The Chiefs battled to a 27-21 victory which went right down to the wire. 

Chiefs: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Fa'auli, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross. 

Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Charlie Ngatai (co-captain), 23 Marty McKenzie.

Date: Saturday, April 7

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) 

Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)