Changes freshen Chiefs pack

Sitiveni Sivivatu, Bernie Upton and Michael Collins get their first Super 12 start of the season as the Chiefs tackle the Hurricanes in Wellington tomorrow night.

Coach Ian Foster has made several changes from the side beaten 20-6 by the Reds a fortnight ago, moves largely designed to freshen up the pack

Bay of Plenty lock Upton comes in for Sean Hohneck to partner captain Jono Gibbes; the burly Aleki Lutui takes over at hooker; Deacon Manu switches to tighthead prop in place of Ben Castle, with Collins coming in at loosehead, fully fit after a broken arm had slowed his leadup to the Super 12.

In part, the forward adjustments are to get a more robust element into the pack.

"It was an area that we felt disappointed in during the Reds game," Foster added.

Sivivatu, perhaps the most electrifying back in the New Zealand game for a time last year, is back after having surgery on a damaged shoulder.

He will be at fullback rather than on the wing where he terrorised a string of defences last year, but he's no stranger to having No 15 on his back, having done time there for Counties-Manukau.

Regular fullback, Adrian Cashmore, is missing as his wife is due to have a baby. Sailosi Tagicakibau, who played the first two rounds, is back on the left wing. Keith Lowen replaces Derek Maisey at second five-eighths.

It will be regular test squad flanker Marty Holah's 50th Super 12 game for the Chiefs, who have brought Counties Manukau back Niva Ta'auso into their squad to replace the injured Loki Crichton.

The Hurricanes, with four wins from their first five games and lying fourth , have made three changes from the team who grafted a last-minute win over the Stormers in Palmerston North last Friday.

Shannon Paku replaces Riki Flutey at fullback, Lome Fa'atau is back on the wing in place of Hosea Gear, and halfback Piri Weepu returns from injury in place of Isaac Boss.

Coach Colin Cooper hopes test No 8 Rodney So'oialo, who missed the Stormers match with an ankle sprain, will be fit. He is bracketed with Thomas Waldrom, the final decision being left until tomorrow.

* Wellington, 7.35pm, tomorrow

Hurricanes

Shannon Paku, Lome Fa'atau, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (c), Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, So'oialo/Waldrom, Ben Herring, Jerry Collins, Luke Andrews, Ross Kennedy, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Joe McDonnell

Chiefs

Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sosene Anesi, Mark Ranby, Keith Lowen, Sailosi Tagicakibau, David Hill, Byron Kelleher, Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Bernie Upton, Jono Gibbes (c), Deacon Manu, Aleki Lutui, Michael Collins

Reserves:

Hurricanes:

Joe Ward, Tim Fairbrother, Kristian Ormsby, Chris Masoe, Hosea Gear, Tane Tuipulotu, Riki Flutey.

Chiefs:

Scott Linklater, Simms Davison, Sean Hohneck, Wayne Ormond, Kevin Senio, Stephen Donald, Grant McQuoid.