Rugby: Chiefs look to build up head of steam

Nathan Harris gets his first start for the Chiefs against the Lions. Photo / File

The rapid rise of Nathan Harris into the top echelon of New Zealand hookers continues after the naming of the Chiefs team to take on Lions at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton from 7.35pm tomorrow night.

The Te Puke Sports and Bay of Plenty hooker will start for the Chiefs for the first time in a team that has a remarkable 14 changes from the 22 that lost so convincingly to the Brumbies last start in Canberra.

Beside him at tighthead will be Bay of Plenty's Josh Hohneck, also starting for the first time, plus there are three other Bay of Plenty players in the pack in Brodie Retallick, and flankers Sam Cane and Tanerau Latimer.

Five Steamers in a Chiefs starting forward pack? It must be a record and how head coach Kevin Schuler would love to have them all available in his Bay of Plenty team.

All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow is welcomed back from injury as the starting halfback, with James Lowe getting his first start on the wing since returning from injury.

Tom Marshall comes in at second five-eighth and is joined in the midfield by Charlie Ngatai. Dwayne Sweeney starts on the right wing in the 14 jersey, with the elusive Tim Nanai-Williams moving from the wing back to fullback.

In the five changes to the bench, hooker Mahonri Schwalger moves to the reserves and is joined by Ben Tameifuna for the first time this season. Mike Fitzgerald, Andrew Horrell and Bundee Aki are the other reserves.

"We know we are in control of our own destiny and this is a defining match for us," said Chiefs coach Dave Rennie. "We have boxed ourselves into a corner with recent results and now we need to come out fighting."