Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer will make his 50th appearance for the Chiefs tomorrow night as his side tries to end a long Hamilton drought when they meet newcomers Melbourne.
The 25-year-old openside - who also played five games for the Crusaders in his debut Super rugby season in 2006
- will join fellow Steamers player Lelia Masaga in reaching the milestone, while Stephen Donald will play his 75th match.
After losses in Canberra and Dunedin in the opening rounds of the expanded competition, the Chiefs will make their first appearance of the season at their main home venue of Waikato Stadium.
However, it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for some time.
They failed to win any of their six matches there last year, and were belted 46-19 by the Waratahs on their last appearance.
The last time the Chiefs tasted victory in Hamilton was in May 2009, when they beat the Hurricanes in a Super 14 semifinal and skipper Mils Muliaina wants to help repay the faith of their fans.
"We haven't won here for a very long time, and the guys are just itching to get out there," he said. "The great thing about the Chiefs' region is that they are really loyal fans. Regardless of how you're going, they still want to get out there and ring the cowbells. For us, it's about trying to pay back their loyalty."
Donald is one of a number of changes to the team which lost to the Highlanders in Dunedin last week, replacing Bay of Plenty's Mike Delany.
Veteran midfielder Tana Umaga and halfback Brendon Leonard also return, with Taneila Moa coming onto the bench. Umaga will play second-five.
