The Gallagher Chiefs have their first run of the year at Rotorua International Stadium and it's a tough one.
They're up against 2015 Australian conference winners the Waratahs and the pre-season opener is a chance for players on both sides to push for selection into the playing 23.
"The competition within the team starts to ramp up now with players putting their pre-season training and tactics into action and coaches wanting to see their options. It all starts coming into play now," said Chiefs marketing manager Vanessa Parker.
This is the only game the Chiefs will play in the Bay of Plenty this year, and it's a chance for Rotorua fans to get out and support local boy Sam Cane in his first outing as Chiefs co-captain.
"We have had such great support from the crowd at the Rotorua Stadium in previous years and the team just loves playing there," she said.
