McKenzie has been on paternity leave and is looking forward to playing.
“I haven’t had as much training as I would have wanted to, or as I’ve had in the past, but I feel like I’m ready to go.
“It was a little speed bump last weekend, but the way the boys have played and held themselves in the first three weeks has been good.
“My job is to come in and not try and overplay my hand, to get back in and play my rugby, and get the boys around the park.”
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said the side feels boosted by McKenzie’s return in Round 4, which is also Club Rugby Round.
“The experience he has also helps in the preparation. He’s able to assess information the coaches are giving and put it into action pretty quickly for everyone around him. That type of influence has been invaluable.”
Captain Luke Jacobson wasn’t considered for the game due to an adductor issue, and it was felt that, with a six-day turnaround, it was better to rest him. Halfback Xavier Roe also missed out as he has an ongoing ankle problem.
McKenzie will be paired with fellow All Black Cortez Ratima, who will be up against former All Black halfback Augustine Pulu, who will make his debut for Moana Pasifika. Pulu’s first Super Rugby game since 2018 was delayed due to a calf injury.
Also having his first start is Canterbury centre Tevita Latu, as Tevita Ofa returns to the wing and Glen Vaihu starts at fullback.
Coach Tana Umaga said, “The Chiefs always bring a great challenge, and we know we need to be accurate and come out strong from the start.
“As a team we’re focused on trusting what we can do and going out and executing our game plan.”
Two newcomers, halfback Joel Lam and first five-eighths Tyler Pulini, will make their debuts from the bench. Former Canterbury player Lam had one game for the Crusaders in 2023, and a stint in league before returning to rugby with Manu Samoa in last year’s Pacific Nations Cup.
Pulini had two seasons with the Moana Pasifika Under-20s from Westlake Boys’ High School.
Hurricanes co-captain and All Blacks flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi will have his first start of the season against the Waratahs in Sydney after recovering from a calf injury. His return will see Peter Lakai move to No8 with Devan Flanders on the blindside flank.
Pasilio Tosi will also have his first start at tighthead prop with Xavier Numia getting the start on the loosehead.
Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “This is going to be a good battle. We haven’t played over here for a couple of years now. The Waratahs are coming off a bye week, so they’ll be ready to go. We feel prepared.”
Laidlaw acknowledged halfback Cam Roigard’s 50th appearance for the side.
“He’s become a massive part of our team, a key player and leader, and he’s got a heap ahead of him.
“We look forward to putting in a performance that makes us proud for him and his occasion.”
Playing the Force in Dunedin has been an advantage for the Highlanders, who have won their last four games against them in New Zealand.
Against that, the Highlanders have lost their last six games against Australian sides. The Force have won back-to-back games in New Zealand only once. But they will need to contain Highlanders’ captain and second five-eighths Timoci Tavatavanawai, who leads the competition with his 15 tackle breaks and 21 in three games against the Force.
Once again frustrated by their inability to take their chances in last week’s loss to the Reds in Brisbane, assistant coach Clarke Dermody said they are aware the Force replicate the Reds’ methods in liking to hold the ball through long phases.
“They’ve had a bit of a tough start until the weekend when they played Moana Pasifika. They changed their game a bit; they started to kick more. So, we’ve got to prepare for both styles again.
“They’re playing more like the Wallabies are, pretty strong around the set piece now. We’ve had Crono [Mike] over there now for a couple of years chipping away behind the scenes and Tom Donnelly’s with them now as well around the lineout stuff, so they are improving that area and they are hard teams to stop.”
Tighthead prop Angus Ta’avao returns to start along with halfback Folau Fakatava.
All Blacks first five-eighths Beauden Barrett will make his return for the Blues against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday from the bench.
Stephen Perofeta will start at first five-eighths, while in the pack, Josh Beehre returns to starting, along with blindside flanker Torian Barnes. Injury to wing Cole Forbes has seen Codemeru Vai getting a start.
Coach Vern Cotter felt positive about the side’s one-win-one-loss tour of Australia, the loss occurring in injury time to the Brumbies.
“We were disappointed not to get the result last week, but there were plenty of positives in our performance.
“We’ve had a good review and trained with purpose this week. We are clear on the areas we need to be better in.
“The Crusaders are always a quality side and these contests carry a bit of extra edge.”
Codie Taylor will return for the Crusaders, a timely return with George Bell forced out for two to three weeks with an ankle injury. Will Jordan will be rested with Taha Kemara moving to fullback as Rivez Reihana returns at first five-eighths.
Coach Rob Penney said, “Taha’s got all the attributes you need. He’s very fit and covers the ground well. He’s quick so you can get into position quickly, has great aerial skills, is good on the ground and has a great kicking game too. He can do everything and we’re comfortable with him back there.”
As a team, the side has taken a lot of confidence from Jordan’s running down of Chiefs wing Leroy Carter to deny them a bonus point at the end of their game.
“Committing like that to an action right at the end of the game just shows you the level of care that man has for this group and this organisation.”
But Penney was aware of the frustration the Blues would have felt in their injury-time loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
“They sort of had the game under control, and the Brumbies are a good side who squeezed them and finished over the top of the Blues.
“They’ll be wanting to prove a point at home at Eden Park and we know how capable they are and we’ll need to be at our best.”