The Chiefs have made three changes to their starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington.

In the backline, Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Charlie Ngatai return from injury to take their place on the left wing and at outside centre respectively. Tim Nanai-Williams, who has recommitted to the Chiefs for the 2015 season, returns to fullback.

Kane Thompson comes into the reserves and is joined by Aaron Cruden, who makes his return to rugby after a thumb injury, with the addition of Tom Marshall the only other change to the Chiefs bench.

Meanwhile, hooker Dane Coles comes back in to the Hurricanes' starting line-up after a week's injury break, while flyhalf Beauden Barrett has recovered well from a hip injury and is expected to start against the Chiefs.

Should Ash Dixon be deemed unfit in the coming days, Reggie Goodes will provide cover at hooker, and Mike Kainga will come into the match 23 for the first time.

Chiefs – 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Messam (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Kane Thompson, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Tom Marshall.

Hurricanes – 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon/Reggie Goodes, 17 Chris Eves, 18 Reggies Goodes/Mike Kainga, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Tim Bateman, 23 Matt Proctor/James Marshall.

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images