Chiefs back to full strength for Reds

Mitch Karpik has been in good form for the Chiefs in his debut season. Photo/Getty Images

Mitch Karpik is pleased that the biblical story of how Samson lost his powers after having his hair cut has not happened to him.

The openside flanker with the famous long blond locks cuts a more conservative look these days after shaving off his hair with several of his Chiefs mates to raise money for 2-year-old girl with cancer.

"I can actually see on the field for a change which is good, so maybe I have gained something," he laughed.

Karpik, 21, has proved himself at Super Rugby level this year with the Chiefs after missing all of last season with a serious knee injury.

"Coming back from that nightmare injury at the start of last year to then run out for the first game against the Highlanders was a pretty cool feeling. Obviously there is still heaps to work on my game and it is tough with so many loosies here but it is good and bad.

"It gives me a good opportunity to learn from the best. Sam Cane is the All Blacks seven and some of the older boys like Liam Messam are great to learn from and learn with.

"I am just enjoying every moment and any opportunity I have to play I have taken."

Cane's earlier injury and then switch to No 8 to cover injuries has given Karpik more game time than he could have expected this season.

The former Auckland rep now contracted to Bay of Plenty sees Cane as the benchmark for openside flankers.

"He is a great dude. He has all the time in the world for all of us. If we need any help he is happy to put his 2 cents in and obviously it has been great for me."

Stepping up to Super Rugby is a big challenge for every player but particularly for Karpik after his year off. But the former King's College captain is made of stern stuff.

"It was a big adjustment coming from playing no rugby to being thrown into the mix at Super. I am trying to keep up with the physicality and the pace.

"A big thing for me is getting more dominance in my tackle. I have been working on that at practice and I think it is slowly showing on the field but there is still lots to work on. Yeah we're getting there."

Karpik is not in action tonight when the Chiefs take on the Reds in New Plymouth.

The Chiefs field their strongest team in many weeks with the return from injury of first choice players No 8 Michael Leitch, halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow and second-five Charlie Ngatai, who has been out all season with concussion.

Hooker Nathan Harris returns to the bench after getting through his first 40 minutes of the season for his club side Te Puke Sports last Saturday.

He is back from a knee reconstruction last year and his performances over the next few weeks will be closely monitored by the All Blacks selectors ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour next month.

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (co-c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane (co-c), 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames. Reserves: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Atu Moli, 18 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Sam McNicol, 23 Shaun Stevenson.