The Chiefs will be without Tim Nanai-Williams and Tom Marshall for Friday night's showdown with the Brumbies in New Plymouth but the loss of the backline duo has been offset by returning All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam.

Nanai-Williams was a late scratching from last weekend's 23-18 win over the Blues while Marshall suffered a minor knee injury in the physical encounter.

Luckily for Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, the experienced All Blacks trio all return this week after fulfilling the first of their two New Zealand Rugby-prescribed rest periods.

"There is a huge amount of competition for places and we are excited to have our returning All Blacks back in the mix," Rennie said.

"Between our team and the Brumbies there are plenty of world class players on display and with the styles both teams like to play it will be a real positive game."

Rennie has made a tough decision at fly-half, bringing Cruden straight back into the starting line-up in place of rising star Damian McKenzie. The 19-year-old had a fine game against the Blues and while it must have been tempting to ease Cruden back via the bench, the veteran playmaker had already signalled his intention to start.

"It's just my personality, but I'd love to start," Cruden said Tuesday. "Sometimes it's tricky and a little bit difficult coming off the bench, just getting a gauge of how the game is going. But if that's not the case I'll just play my part to the best of my ability."

Messam has also come straight back into the side as captain while World Rugby Player of the Year Retallick will come off the bench. Former All Blacks winger Hosea Gear will make his first appearance for the Chiefs while boom rookier Seta Tamanivalu will earn his first Super Rugby cap from the bench.

The Chiefs lost twice to the Brumbies in 2014; a 41-23 in round 11 and 32-30 in a Qualifying Final.

Aaron Cruden is keen to make his return in the Chiefs' starting side © Getty Images

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