Sonny Bill Williams will make his long-awaited return to rugby and take his place at second five-eighth for the Chiefs' clash with the Hurricanes this weekend.
Williams has been absent for more than a month after sustaining a nagging back injury but the All Black will bolster his side's backline at the perfect time.
The Chiefs can clinch fourth spot on the Super Rugby standings with a win in New Plymouth, earning a home match in the first week of the playoffs and avoiding a trip to South Africa or Australia.
Williams' addition will certainly help with that quest, as will the return of lock Matt Symons, who will start for the first time since early May after recovering from his second concussion of the season.
Symons will start in place of Michael Fitzgerald as part of an overhauled forward pack from last weekend's win over the Reds. While the Chiefs' defence was rock solid in Brisbane, the set piece was a shambles and the entire front row has paid the price for that effort.
