All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea will miss Moana Pasifika’s round six Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Chiefs in Pukekohe.
North Harbour have bolstered their stocks both up front and out wide ahead of this year's NPC, bringing in two players with ample Super Rugby experience.
The Gallagher Chiefs head to the tropical climate of Fiji as the heat goes on their must-win encounter against the Fijian Drua on Saturday afternoon in Lautoka.
He may be down but he's certainly not out; it appears that Brodie Retallick could be set for a return to the Chiefs next weekend when they take on the Rebels in Melbourne.
The Gallagher Chiefs have named their side to face the Brumbies this Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton. Kicking off at 7.05pm, the Gallagher Chiefs will look to continue their momentum against Australian sides after winning their last two matches.
With Super Rugby Pacific facing ongoing questions concerning the viability of the tournament, now would be an excellent time for the Australian sides to stand up and prove themselves capable of at least putting up a challenge against their Kiwi rivals.
Clayton McMillan has made five changes to the Chiefs starting line-up for what could be their toughest remaining match of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season, with last week's star first five invalided from the game due to a rib injury.
Only one change has been made to the starting forward pack that defeated the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium last Sunday. All Black lock Josh Lord will start in the number 4 jersey in an otherwise unchanged starting forward pack.
The Chiefs have overhauled their starting line-up for this Sunday's clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington, making eight personnel changes to the run-on side.
The defences in New Zealand, for whatever reason, are built to bend with the aim of not breaking. They make a ton of tackles with a high completion rate, trying to absorb pressure and then try to the turn the ball over.