Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam has been passed fit to play in the season opener against the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.
Messam has not played a pre-season game after pulling a calf muscle in his warm-up for the first match against the Rebels in Melbourne.
He has been named at blindside flanker, with Sam Cane and Fritz Lee rounding out the loose forwards.
Coach Dave Rennie has named a strong backline, with Aaron Cruden at first-five, Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui in the midfield, and Lelia Masaga on the right wing.
Brendon Leonard has got the nod to play at halfback ahead of Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who has been named on the reserves bench. Former Highlander Robbie Robinson will play at fullback.