Super Rugby Round 20 - Blues v Chiefs
Andrew Horrell returns as Chiefs make changes
July 12, 2013
Chiefs' fly-half Aaron Cruden stretches for the try-line, Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby, Rugby League Park, Christchurch, July 5, 2013
Aaron Cruden and the Chiefs must produce more than they did against the Crusaders © Getty Images
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Andrew Horrell returns as fullback in one of six changes to the Chiefs' starting line-up for their Super Rugby round 20 match against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday night.

Horrell has made two appearances off the bench for the defending champions and New Zealand conference leaders since returning from an ankle injury suffered against New South Wales Waratahs in April, and his selection sees Robbie Robinson move to the left wing in place of Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

In the other changes, winger Lelia Masaga, centre Tim Nanai-Williams, prop Toby Smith, and loose forwards Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam, who has overcome a back injury, also return to the starting team.

The bench also features Gareth Anscombe, nine weeks after he broke a bone in his rught foot during training. The Chiefs signed Anscombe from the Blues as a back-up five-eighth, but he has impressed at fullback and became the first player in Super Rugby this season to reach 100 points.

The Chiefs are backing up from their 43-15 defeat by the Crusaders that saw them slip from top spot on the Super Rugby ladder. If the Crusaders beat the Hurricanes with maximum points on Friday night, the Chiefs will need a point at Eden Park to finish top of the conference. The Blues, like the Hurricanes, are out of play-offs contention but Chiefs coach Dave Rennie expects they will want to sign off in style.

"We're obviously pretty disappointed with our performance last week but we're excited about the opportunity to redeem ourselves," Rennie said. "We know these are traditionally big clashes and know the Blues will want to put in a big performance in their final game of the season."

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell; Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Bundee Aki, Robbie Robinson; Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Matt Vant Leven, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam; Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (captain); Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Replacements: Mahonri Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Gareth Anscombe, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

Matt Dunning and Duncan McRae preview Super Rugby round 20
© AAP

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