Chiefs ring changes for Rebels

The Chiefs have made eight changes to their starting line-up to play the Rebels at in Hamilton on Saturday.

Prop Jamie Mackintosh, lock Michael Fitzgerald and flanker Tanerau Latimer return among the forwards. Kane Thompson will start in the No 8 jersey while Liam Messam moves to the reserves. Brodie Retallick takes over the captaincy duties in the absence of the injured Aaron Cruden.

Gareth Anscombe gets his long-awaited start at flyhalf with Bundee Aki at inside centre. Aki will play his first match of the season after having shoulder surgery in the off season. Mils Muliaina moves to the left wing and Tom Marshall shifts to fullback.

There have been four changes to the bench from last week. Pauliasi Manu moves to the reserves and is joined by Ross Filipo who gets the chance to have his first match of the season. Jordan Payne gets the opportunity to make his Chiefs debut off the bench and could be the ninth new Chief this season to take the field.

Meanwhile, the Rebels have made two changes, with Colby Fainga'a and Tom Kingston returning from injury.

Fainga'a will start at blindside flank, with Sean McMahon relegated to the bench to replace Jordy Reid. Utility back Kingston replaces Alex Rokobaro on the bench.

Chiefs – 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mils Muliaina, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick (c), 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Subs: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Ross Filipo, 20 Liam Messam , 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Jordan Payne.

Rebels – 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Male Sau, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emilie, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Tom Kingston, 23 Angus Roberts.

Super Rugby teams (Round 9)

Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

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