SBW gets new centre partner

Sonny Bill Williams and Tim Nanai-Williams will be in the Chiefs' midfield for their play-off qualifier against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Williams, who returned from injury last weekend, is paired with his cousin after Charlie Ngatai was ruled out with concussion.

In other changes to the backline, Andrew Horrell will start at flyhalf, with Damian McKenzie shifting to fullback in the absence of Tom Marshall (knee injury).

Among the forwards, Sam Cane is back at openside flank, having been rested last weekend, with Michael Fitzgerald moving to blindside flank and skipper Liam Messam to No 8. Hooker Hika Elliot is also back after a week's rest and will play his 100th Super Rugby match.

Chiefs – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Andrew Horrell, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Michael Fitzgerald, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Mitchell Crosswell, 20 Michael Leitch, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

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