Chiefs

There was always going to be one team leaving Waikato Stadium contemplating a horrible start to their 2012 campaign.

Into the breach steps Ben Tameifuna, all 138kg of him.

In the blink of one round of Super 15, franchise neighbours the Blues and Chiefs face a Friday night funk in Hamilton.

Dave Rennie's first game as Chiefs coach proved a horror show as he watched his team squander their lead and a host of his players leave the field with injury that will severely test his squad.

Hoani Macdonald never thought he would be seen again in the Highlanders jersey, but it is one chance he intends to take.

Liam Messam and Craig Clarke have been named co-captains for the Chiefs.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has announced the Chiefs squad for the 2012 Super 15 season with three Rugby World Cup champions to make up part of his backline.

Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu's hopes of making the All Blacks' World Cup squad have received a boost after tests showed his shoulder injury is not as bad as first feared.

The Chiefs have made two changes to their starting XV for a Super 15 match against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday night, with the inclusion of Dwayne Sweeney and Isaac Ross.

Flanker Tanerau Latimer will make his return to Super 15 rugby for the Chiefs against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night after an extended stretch on the sidelines.