The table-topping Chiefs have announced their team to take on the Lions this Saturday night, with several changes to their forward pack.

Flanker Sam Cane gets a start with Tanerau Latimer moving to the left of the scrum while Liam Messam is out with a rib injury.

One of last week’s try scoring props, Toby Smith, gets his first start since his injury in round one, while Sona Taumalolo is named on the bench.

Lock Brodie Retallick has been given his first rest of the year, which sees Michael Fitzgerald starting in the number five jersey.

Kane Thompson comes back in at No. 8 after a minor neck injury as Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Maritino Nemani come on to the reserve bench

Chiefs

1. Toby Smith, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Craig Clarke (c), 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 6. Tanerau Latimer, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kane Thompson, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Andrew Horrell

Replacements: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. Arizona Taumalolo, 18. Alex Bradley, 19. Scott Waldrom, 20. Tawera Kerr- Barlow, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Maritino Nemani