The Chiefs are prepared to wait until game day in the hope of having No 1 lock Keith Robinson and first-choice first five-eighths Stephen Donald fit to face the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday.
Robinson is yet to play in the Super 14, having collected a lingering calfinjury before the opening round. He is a touch and go call for Sunday and although Chiefs coach Ian Foster has said they won't take risks, the rugged All Black would give the pack a significant boost.
He is bracketed with Kristian Ormsby, although Ormsby had a strong game last week against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Donald tweaked a groin muscle in the same game. He is bracketed with Murray Williams for the No 10 jersey.
There are five changes in the Chiefs team seeking to arrest their poor start, including Richard Kahui at centre and No 8 Sione Lauaki.
Kahui was among the outstanding players in last year's Air New Zealand Cup but a badly bruised shoulder has delayed his Super 14 debut. He joined the party this week and replaces Niva Ta'auso, who goes to the bench.
Lauaki, now over a broken wrist, replaces Liam Messam; Marty Holah takes over at openside flanker from Tanerau Latimer; Nathan White returns at tighthead prop in place of Ben Castle; and halfback Brendan Leonard replaces Jamie Nutbrown.
The Bulls, with one win from three games, have made five changes, most notably the return from injury of flying wing Bryan Habana and Springbok lock Bakkies Botha.
* The Highlanders welcome back fullback Glen Horton and speedy wing Vili Waqaseduadua from injury for their first home game, against the Stormers at Carisbrook tomorrow.
* No 8 Scott Fava is back in the Force team for their home game against the Lions tomorrow night, after his one-match ban for exceeding coach John Mitchell's alcohol level on their South African trip this month.
