Chiefs change 3 for Hurricanes clash

Wellington - Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The formidable forward pack remains the same with Kane Hames, Nathan Harris and Atu Moli packing down together in the front row. 

Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick continue their dominant second row partnership, with Taleni Seu, Tom Sanders and Sam Cane forming a hard-working loose forward trio.

In the backs, experienced All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow will start at scrumhalf this week, with support from Aaron Cruden at flyhalf.

Anton Lienert-Brown moves to inside centre, with the explosive Seta Tamanivalu returning from injury to start in the No 13 jersey. 

The exciting trio of James Lowe, Sam McNicol and Damian McKenzie complete the backline.

Of note in the reserves is the return of workhorse Michael Leitch who has been sidelined since May after dislocating his thumb against the Rebels.

Teams:

Hurricanes

TBA

Chiefs

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sam McNicol, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Sam Cane (co-captain), 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames 

Substitutes: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Lachlan Boshier, 20 Michael Leitch, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson