All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown will make his return from injury for the Chiefs' crucial Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Highlanders on Sunday.
Lienert-Brown missed the Chiefs' last match against the Hurricanes a fortnight ago with concussion, after reporting symptoms during training and failing head injury assessment.
He returns in the No.12 jersey, where he'll partner Alex Nankivell in the midfield.
The return of Lienert-Brown and Nankivell are just two of the many changes coach Warren Gatland has made to his side.
First-five Kaleb Trask and wing Solomon Alaimalo return to the starting side, replacing Aaron Cruden, who is on the bench, and Etene Nanai‑Seturo respectively. Halfback Brad Weber and fullback Damian McKenzie retain their spots in the side.
In the forwards, the only tight-five change sees lock Tupou Vaa'i replacing Naitoa Ah Kuoi, who is sidelined with concussion. The loose forward trio is also unchanged, with Sam Cane resuming his role as captain.
The Chiefs are the only team without a win this season, but coming off a bye, Gatland feels they're primed to cause a few upsets.
"The team have had an enjoyable break, and have returned refreshed and hungry to earn a win this Sunday," he says.
Last time the two teams played, Gatland's son, Bryn, kicked the game-winning drop goal for the Highlanders to secure a 28-27 win.
"It was a tightly contested battle when we faced the Highlanders in the first Super Rugby Aotearoa match in Dunedin," Gatland added. "They have a number of threats across the park.
"We need to be prepared to defend that and bide our time when we are given the opportunity.
"We then need to apply pressure, force turnovers, attack and execute accordingly.
"This Sunday is about us starting better and continuing to finish strongly, so we secure a win at home that our fans deserve to see."
Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Bradley Slater, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Mitchell Brown, 6-Lachlan Boshier, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Pita Gus Sowakula, 9-Brad Weber, 10-Kaleb Trask, 11-Solomon Alaimalo, 12-Alex Nankivell, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sean Wainui, 15-Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Reuben O'Neill, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Adam Thomson, 20-Mitchell Karpik, 21-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22-Aaron Cruden, 23-Quinn Tupaea
Join us for live updates of the Chiefs v Highlanders Super Rugby Aotearoa clash from 3:30pm Sunday
