Rugby: Full run out for squad against Tahs

Reporoa All Black Sam Cane is expected to play a part in tomorrow's pre-season match.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie will give most of his squad a run during their first pre-season match against the Waratahs in Rotorua tomorrow, but will not field star playmaker Aaron Cruden as he continues to recover from injury.

"It is a trial. So the plan is we will give everyone a crack," Rennie said.

"We are playing the Waratahs who are a big unit and have a lot of internationals, we found last year when we played them they started pretty much a test team against us.

"So it will be good for us. It will be intense and let us get a good look at some of the players under pressure."

The pre-season match will kick-off at 4pm at the Rotorua International Stadium and is the only Chiefs match being played in the Bay of Plenty this season.

Cruden was hoping to be back to full fitness in time for the first pre-season game, after badly injuring his knee last year, but Rennie said they would keep him off the paddock for another week.

"We won't use Aza at all. We have been increasing his contact stuff and he is going pretty well, but we want to keep building that up. He will play a big part in the Blues trial game."

Rennie said they always enjoyed playing in Rotorua which had a great stadium and the community came out in force last time they were here.

"It is a good surface ... and I think the great thing last year was the community showed they were really interested and turned out in good numbers, which was certainly higher than expectations, so we are excited to go down there again.

"We did want to play [this game] in Tauranga to be honest.

"With not playing at Baypark we were pretty keen to reward that community as well, they are big supporters but we couldn't make it happen unfortunately.

"So, you know, with a bit of luck maybe the stadium will get a bit of a push there and we would certainly love to play there again."

The Chiefs boast a strong contingent from the Bay of Plenty Steamers in their squad this year. Players like Chase Tiatia, Ziggy Fisiihoi, Johan Bardoul, Nathan Harris, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, and Mike Kainga should all be available tomorrow.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they have lost halfback Augustine Pulu for much of the season after he broke his arm playing for the All Blacks Sevens last weekend in Sydney.

"There is a lot of competition for places and we have certainly been pushing that", Rennie said.

- Tickets for tomorrow's game can be bought at the gate. Gates open at 3pm and tickets are adults $20 grandstand or $10 general admission, children (under-15) $5, under-5s free.