Rennie focuses on positives

While many are crying doom and gloom for the Chiefs - all coach Dave Rennie sees is opportunity.

The Chiefs take on their Super Rugby neighbours the Blues tonight at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Injury-wise, the Chiefs had a horror start to the season with their two top props Ben Afeaki (broken arm) and Toby Smith (calf) sidelined for a number of weeks.

They are joined on the injured list by Brendon Leonard (hamstring) and Lelia Masaga (knee). Although Rennie admits it was a major blow to the team, he hasn't raised the white flag just yet. In fact he told The Daily Post it was a great chance for one of the new guys to step up.

"The injuries have meant there has been some movement in the team, but it also provides a great opportunity for the young guys to make their debut."

One of those new guys is the giant prop Ben Tameifuna.

Tipping the scales at an impressive 138kg, the former New Zealand Under-20 2011 junior world champion squad member will get the chance to pack down beside his cousin and team mate Arizona Taumalolo.

Also making their Super Rugby debut will be Kane Thompson, who will slot in at No8, and wider training squad member Augustine Pulu, from Counties Manukau, who moves on to the reserves bench.

Senior Chiefs player Tanerau Latimer comes off the bench and gets a start at open-side.

Latimer said he was confident of the young players being able to step up and would be looking to take a leadership role tonight.

"The Blues are a tough side and they will look to try and dominate us. But I see my role [tonight] to try and keep our boys level and not let the occasion get the better of them."

Another player looking to stamp his mark on the game is flying winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma. The speedster got some game time last week when Masaga came off injured but didn't get a lot of opportunities. Something he's hoping to change.

"Last week was great but [tonight] I just want to show Dave he made the right choice giving me this chance."

Last week against the Highlanders, the Chiefs were out-muscled at the breakdown and weren't given too many chances to show their attacking ability in the backs and forwards.

"We had opportunities [against the Highlanders] to put them out at 19-9 and in the end we didn't control possession well enough and got out-muscled a little bit and players got isolated and lost possession because of that.

"From an attitude point of view, we spent a big chunk of the game tackling. While we're disappointed we've taken learnings from the weekend and build on what we're doing well."

The game starts at 7.35pm.

Chiefs: Arizona Taumalolo, Mahonri Schwalger, Ben Tameifuna, Craig Clarke, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Kane Thompson, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Robbie Robinson. Reserves: Hika Elliot, Shane Cleaver, Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Declan O'Donnell.

Blues: Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu (c), Tevita Mailau, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Alby Mathewson, Michael Hobbs, Rudi Wulf, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, David Raikuna, Isaia Toeava. Reserves: Pauliasi Manu, Angus Ta'avao, Brad Mika, Luke Braid, Piri Weepu, Gareth Anscombe, Sherwin Stowers.