If the Chiefs were a more vengeful mob they would be sorely tempted to boost their side with every All Black they boast ahead of Friday's encounter with the Brumbies. But even with that opposition doubling as the same team who, in last year's playoffs, ended the Chiefs' hopes of a hat-trick of Super Rugby titles, there is no guarantee the returning cavalry will receive starting spots.
Aaron Cruden, Liam Messam and Brodie Retallick were late arrivals in camp after their All Blacks commitments and subsequently kept out of the week one win over the Blues. And while the trio will be available for selection in New Plymouth, whether they will find places in the run-on XV is another question.
"There's no guarantee they'll all start," coach Dave Rennie said after practice today. "We name our team tomorrow and it'll be a bit clearer then but we were certainly happy with some positions and we're likely to give those guys another crack.
"You may find that one or two of them may come off the bench. But having that sort of experience coming back in will be great. They're incredibly enthusiastic, they're obviously a big part of our leadership and they're really excited about being back, which is great."
Adding into the selection equation will be the injury-enforced absences of Tom Marshall and Tim Nanai-Williams. The utility backs both have knee issues but neither is expected to spend too much time on the sidelines, with the Chiefs well-stocked in that area regardless.
"[Marshall] probably could've gritted his teeth and got through it, but we've got a lot of fit guys at the moment so it's an opportunity to bring some other guys in," Rennie said.
Among that group, Hosea Gear will be in line to make his Chiefs debut, while Seta Tamanivalu is a chance to be involved in front of his home fans at Yarrow Stadium. Both men saw their campaigns delayed by pre-season injuries but both will be available to bolster what an attack that didn't see enough ball against the Blues.
Judging by the Brumbies' 47-3 romp over the Reds in week one, though, it's the defence that will face the toughest test on Friday night. Rennie was impressed by what he saw from the Brumbies in week one, calling them the form side in the competition, while he was also wary that his charges dropped both meetings between the two teams last season.
"It's a team that had the wood on us last year," the coach said. "And they've been together longer. All those Aussie sides got their internationals in a little bit earlier, so their transition is probably a bit more seamless."
