The Chiefs have suffered a serious double blow before tomorrow night's showdown with the Hurricanes in Wellington, with both Sonny Bill Williams and James Lowe being ruled out through injury.
The key backline pair were both named in yesterday's run-on XV but have since succumbed to injury and will miss what was shaping as the biggest game of the season.
Williams has a back strain, which is expected to keep him out of action for only a week, while a shoulder ailment plaguing Lowe for the last fortnight has flared up after training.
New Zealand Under-20s utility Anton Lienert-Brown will replace Williams and Bryce Heem will move onto the left wing, with Marty McKenzie coming onto the bench.
The withdrawals deny fans and All Blacks selectors a couple of eagerly-awaited duels. Williams and Hurricanes second five Ma'a Nonu will be battling for the No12 jersey later in the year, while Lowe has also been linked with higher honours ahead of what would have been a serious test against Cory Jane and Julian Savea.
