Click here for game wrap
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Chiefs v Hurricanes Super Rugby Pacific clash at Hamilton's FMG Stadium.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, this round is filled with games that have major playoff ramifications - this one will go a long way to deciding home advantage at the semi-final stage.
Both these teams are already assured of home quarter-finals, but a win tonight would see the Hurricanes move ahead of the Blues atop the competition table, at least until the Aucklanders face the Crusaders on Saturday.
A bonus-point win for the Chiefs would propel them past the Brumbies and Hurricanes into second for a possible top-of-the-table showdown against the Blues next week.
The Chiefs are near full-strength, with flanker Samipeni Finau the most notable absence, while the Hurricanes have shuffled their line-up around, with captain Brad Shields and hooker Asafo Aumua missing from their top team.
Join us at 7pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: Chiefs $1.55, Hurricanes $2.35
Blues opponents weigh in over Barrett's possible return to Super Rugby Pacific
Blues opponents have quickly voiced their reservations over the prospect of All Blacks star Beauden Barrett returning to Super Rugby Pacific this season.
The veteran first-five/fullback has just completed a sabbatical season with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz and has made a surprise appearance at Blues training, with the franchise teasing a return to the field, with playoffs looming.
Newshub understands, to return to Super Rugby, Barrett would need SANZAAR dispensation, which would be difficult to obtain, since he missed the April 1 registration deadline, but Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan and Hurricanes counterpart Clark Laidlaw are adamant it shouldn't happen.
"I don't know how much to read into that," offered McMillan. "Is it just a bit of noise to bring some attention to the Blues or is it legitimate, I'm not too sure.
"If it's legitimate, I know there's a process to be followed, one that we looked into ourselves about a month ago."
With a mounting injury toll in the locking department, the Chiefs considered inviting retired All Blacks legend Brodie Retallick - also contracted to a Japanese club - back into the fold.
"We don't think his club in Japan would agree to it," admitted McMillan. "We were told in pretty explicit terms that we may have been able to make a case for it to play round robin games, but there was no chance he could play finals.
"If that's the case, I can't see why a case would be made for Beauden, but those decisions are made by other people."
McMillan also suggests he has other players in the wider training group who could provide injury cover.
"A lot of them bust their gut every week with not much chance of playing, but when those injuries come, they're hopeful they get a chance," he said. "We don't want to upset those guys who have put blood, sweat and tears in, waiting for their opportunity."
The Blues are not battling a dearth of first-fives - in fact, the opposite. They have been well served by Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer this season, as they rose to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
Perofeta is eyeing a return from injury and probably needs the gametime to push his own case for All Blacks selection. Barrett could also play fullback, where the Blues have lost first choice Zarn Sullivan to a knee injury for the rest of the season.
Laidlaw also tested the waters on bringing retired All Blacks hooker Dane Coles back, when he lost his three contracted players in that position. Coles was also playing in Japan and ruled himself out with injury.
"The information I had was he could play, but not in the playoffs, unless he was on the squad at the start of the year," said Laidlaw. "Maybe the Blues snuck him in at the start of the year... "
Laidlaw confirms he is due to meet with All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea, who has also returned from Japan, but there is no suggestion he will join the Hurricanes squad.
"He's not registered," said Laidlaw. "We're really happy with the group we've got.
"We'll have a catch-up later in the week... I'm not sure where his body's at, but we haven't spoken about him coming in and playing."
