Rugby: Williams returns for Chiefs

Sonny Bill Williams will return to the Chiefs' XV after a week on the sidelines. Photo / Getty

The Chiefs have been boosted by the return of Sonny Bill Williams for Saturday afternoon's clash with the Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium.

Williams missed last weekend's loss against the Sharks but was always expected to quickly shake off the concussion he suffered a week earlier.

The second five's return to the starting XV is one of five changes from the disappointing defeat to the Sharks, with the only other switch to the backline seeing Tom Marshall replace James Lowe on the left wing.

An entire new front row is the feature of the forward pack, with Hika Elliot's one-week suspension handing Quinton MacDonald his first start for the Chiefs.

The Tasman hooker will be joined by Ben Tameifuna and Pauliasi Manu in the front row, with the latter recovering from the rib injury that kept him from last week's final outing in South Africa.

"The Cheetahs are one of the more positive South African teams and we know they will test us with their line out drive and their kicking game," said Chiefs assistant Coach Andrew Strawbridge.

Chiefs team to play the Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon:
Damian McKenzie, Bryce Heem, Seta Tamanivalu/Andrew Horrell, Sonny Bill Williams, Tom Marshall, Aaron Cruden, Brad Weber, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (c), Michael Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Quentin MacDonald, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Siate Tokolahi, Mitchell Graham, Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Marty McKenzie.