Aaron Cruden's long-awaited return from injury has been slightly delayed, with the first five-eighth named on the bench to face the Hurricanes this weekend.
Cruden has been missing from action since breaking his thumb last month in South Africa and, with his six-week recovery period elapsing during the bye week, he looked set to take his position at pivot on Saturday night.
But Dave Rennie has opted to rest his most important player a little longer, naming Gareth Anscombe to start in the No 10 jersey in the battle between the New Zealand conference's first and fourth placed sides.
Cruden caught and passed for the first time on Tuesday while away with the All Blacks and, having returned to Hamilton only on Wednesday, the Chiefs may want to give the 25-year-old more time to readjust in training.
In Anscombe they have a capable replacement. The former Blues man has improved every week he has started in Cruden's absence and he had his best game at first five against his old team before the bye.
