Bulls and Chiefs ring the changes

It's changes galore for both teams when the Chiefs host the Bulls in Hamilton tomorrow.

The Chiefs have made five personnel and one positional adjustment from the team who beat the Highlanders 16-13 last weekend.

The Bulls have matched that with six changes to the side who were disappointing in losing to the Blues at Eden Park a week ago.

The most significant alteration for the Chiefs is the return of hard-running centre Niva Ta'auso, out with an ankle injury since February 12.

Ta'auso came into the squad midway through last season as a replacement for the injured Loki Crichton.

He has trained impressively and gets his chance with Mils Muliaina reverting from centre to fullback.

"Niva has worked hard to get out there and play again, and Saturday will be an exciting opportunity for him," coach Ian Foster said.

Ta'auso will line up alongside Sam Tuitupou, who returns at second five-eighths for David Hill, the latter part of a three-way bracket on the reserves bench as he gets over a bruised knee.

Test halfback Byron Kelleher is back, relegating Jamie Nutbrown to the bench, while up front Simms Davison is over a hamstring tweak and starts at loosehead prop, with newcomer Nathan White given a further chance after doing well against the Highlanders.

There's a big question mark over regular captain Jono Gibbes, who is battling after heavily bruising a leg in training a week ago. He is bracketed with Kristian Ormsby on the bench.

For the Bulls, coach Heyneke Meyer has introduced two new centres, Rudi Coetzee and Wynand Olivier, first five-eighth Morne Steyn replaces the injured Derick Hougaard, and Springbok halfback Fourie du Preez starts in place of Heinie Adams.

* All Blacks Anton Oliver and James Ryan are on the Highlanders bench as coach Greg Cooper gives them a break for the visit of the winless Force to Carisbrook tomorrow. No 8 Craig Newby takes over as captain from Oliver.

* Wallaby Matt Giteau is poised to return to the Brumbies lineup against the Cheetahs in Canberra tomorrow. Test hooker Jeremy Paul is also back after recovering from a knee injury.