Rugby: SBW/Ngatai combo big worry for hosts

The attacking play of Sonny Bill Williams will pose threats to the Crusaders this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

The last time Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Ngatai started together in midfield, the Chiefs produced their attacking performance of the season.

It was a 40-16 win over the Crusaders, back in late February, and that same opposition will be the unlucky hosts of the pair's long-awaited reunion tomorrow night.

The Chiefs have been able to call on their first-choice centre combination for just the third time this campaign, giving Dave Rennie's men an injection of physicality for what's shaping as a rough and rugged clash in Christchurch.

Rennie said earlier in the week that he expected the Crusaders to name their strongest XV for this game. Todd Blackadder obliged - recalling a quartet of All Blacks in Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Luke Romano and Wyatt Crockett - and Rennie returned the favour with his team selection.

Nowhere was that more true than in the midfield, with Williams and Ngatai returning to the side after spells on the sideline through injury.

After starting two of the first three games together, both men have played restricted roles, with Williams featuring in five of his side's eight matches and Ngatai only three. But the duo will now be unleashed at the ideal time, when a win would deal a real blow to their traditional rivals' playoff hopes.

"I thought the last time Sonny and Charlie played together they were pretty formidable," said assistant coach Tom Coventry. "They make a good combination together - they complement each other well."

Williams' battle with Dan Carter will be particularly fascinating. They may start alongside each other for the All Blacks later in the year but, with Colin Slade holding on to the No10 jersey, Carter will go head-to-head with Williams at second five.

"The Crusaders' midfield is pretty handy as well, so it looks like it's going to be a good match-up," Coventry said. "Obviously DC has played a bit of footy there and he's a pretty handy rugby player. So there's plenty to watch and plenty to get excited about."

While Kieron Fonotia will more than match Ngatai for size at centre, Carter is giving away 14kg and 16cm to Williams on the inside. But what the Chiefs pair boast in strength, they may lack in match fitness, although Coventry was hopeful of getting 80 minutes from each man.

"We've been nursing them through the last couple of weeks. Obviously Sonny's got a knee that needs a little bit of care, so we monitor him at training and make sure his load isn't over the top."

The Chiefs have also been boosted by the return to fitness of Tim Nanai-Williams, who has recovered from a broken finger suffered in South Africa to take his place on the right wing.

The pack is unchanged from their win over the Blues before their bye but the backline has another couple of alterations. Brad Weber will replace Augustine Pulu at halfback while Tom Marshall's experience sees him earn the nod ahead of Damian McKenzie at fullback for what Coventry is predicting will be a hostile occasion.