Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made a swathe of changes to his team to face the winless Blues in Saturday's Super Rugby clash at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
Mitchell Graham will get his first start in the front row alongside hooker Hika Elliot, back after sitting out a one-match suspension for a shoulder charge.
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick returns from a shoulder injury while Augustine Pulu takes over the halfback role with James Lowe returning to the left wing.
Andrew Horrell starts in the midfield and is joined by Tom Marshall on the right wing.
Rennie says games between the Chiefs and Blues are traditionally hard-fought.
"The Blues have plenty of high quality players and have come close nearly every week, so we will give them the respect they deserve and expect it to be an entertaining, tough match."
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Tom Marshall, Andrew Horrell, Sonny Bill Williams, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Augustine Pulu, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siate Tokolahi, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Allardice, Liam Squire, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Bryce Heem.
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