Chiefs rest All Blacks for Brumbies

The Chiefs have opted to rest All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown for the clash with the Brumbies on Saturday.

It could be the last time Dave Rennie leads his team into battle at FMG Stadium, Waikato. It could also be the last performance at home for a very special group of long-serving players that includes Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and James Lowe.

It will be Stephen ‘Beaver’ Donald’s 100th Super Rugby competition game when he takes the field against the Brumbies on Saturday night. Having captained the Chiefs in International fixtures against Wales in 2016 and the British & Irish Lions last month, Donald has already celebrated his century milestone with the club.

Tim Nanai-Williams will rejoin the side next week following his commitments with the Samoan national team.

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Tom Sanders, 20 Mitchell Karpik, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Shaun Stevenson

Date: Saturday. July 15
Venue: FMG Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-Off: 17:15 local (05:15 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Richard Kelly, Cam Stone
TMO: Ben Skeen