Rugby: 'Desperate' Chiefs name strong side as Waratahs come to town

Damian McKenzie returns for the Chiefs this week. Photo / Photosport

Despite dropping two of their last three matches, the Chiefs are still well in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs.

However, a loss to the Waratahs in Hamilton on Saturday could see them drop into the race for the final few spots in the final weeks of the season.

Unsurprisingly, it's not a situation the side want to be in. So while the option to give some of their All Blacks their last mandatory rest week was there, it wasn't an idea given too much consideration.

"We haven't got a plan around that," assistant coach Neil Barnes said. "We're pretty desperate to get a result here.

"We're pretty desperate to get ourselves back on track so we'll have to revisit that when the time comes."

Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown are still required to sit for a week, but will line up for the Chiefs against the Waratahs, returning from an All Blacks camp alongside Brodie Retallick and Nathan Harris.

"When the heat comes on you need people that are used to that type of pace of the game and the intensity," Barnes said of the All Blacks returning to the squad.

Retallick replaces Tyler Ardron in the starting line up, with the Canadian unable to get through his concussion processes in time for the match after a head knock in South Africa.

In the loose forwards, Liam Messam shifts into the No.8 jersey, allowing loose forward Mitch Karpik to make his first start of the season at openside flanker. Jesse Parete and Matt Matich hold their spots as loose forward cover on the bench, with Pita Gus Sowakula missing out.

"We've got a fair bit of pressure on positions at the moment for some of them, so it's a chance for other people to play."

Charlie Ngatai remains in the midfield to partner Lienert-Brown, as Solomon Alaimalo moves to fullback. Toni Pulu returns to the starting XV on the wing.

Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai (c), Sean Wainui, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Liam Messam, Mitch Karpik, Luke Jacobson, Michael Allardice, Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta'avao, Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe.

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sam Prattley, Jeff Thwaites, Jesse Parete, Matt Matich, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson.