Ian Foster tinkers with Chiefs' forward pack

The Chiefs have tinkered with their tight five for their clash with the Crusaders on Friday night, bringing back lock Craig Clarke and hooker Aled de Malmanche.

A juicy Kiwi derby looms in Hamilton with the Chiefs desperate to rebound from last week's shock loss to the Queensland Reds.

Coach Ian Foster has resisted major changes, hoping to rediscover the formula that saw them win their first three matches on the road.

Clarke has recovered from a groin strain suffered in the round two match against the Lions and his experience and hard-nosed approach will be helpful against the Crusaders.

He is back a week or two earlier than expected in a timely boost to the engine room.

All Blacks hooker de Malmanche gets a start and Vern Kamo comes into the reserves bench as cover with Hika Elliot suffering a hamstring strain at training earlier in the week.

Troubled loose forward Sione Lauaku sits out the match after having an assault charge laid against him following an alleged incident in a Hamilton bar last Friday.

Colin Bourke holds on to the No 8 role, going up against an All Blacks back row.

''I expect a real lift in our intensity, back to the levels we achieved in the first couple of weeks.  Certainly there were some individuals last week that didn’t get to the level they would have wanted,'' Chiefs coach Ian Foster said.

Having had to battle a short week in the leadup to last week’s loss, the Chiefs have been thankful for better preparation for the Crusaders.

''We're looking forward to our first New Zealand derby game, as they are always intense and competitive.

''It has been good to have a full training week after last week’s short turnaround. There’s been an opportunity to reflect on our first four games, and whilst we were frustrated with our last performance, overall the squad has made great progress.''

The Chiefs are asking for a big lift, realising they need to get more points before they sit out the bye next week.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Romana Graham, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

- © Fairfax NZ News