All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown has recovered from an ankle injury and will make his 100th appearance for the Chiefs when they take on the Highlanders in their Super Rugby Pacific derby in Dunedin on Friday.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during the Chiefs’ Round One victory over the Crusaders has made a full recovery and comes in to the run-on side as a replacement for Rameka Poihipi.

Delighted by his return

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is delighted by the 60-Test All Black’s return and congratulated him on his achievement.

“We welcome back some experienced men this week, none more so than Anton Leinert-Brown who will be playing his 100th match,” he told the Chiefs’ official website. “It’s a fantastic milestone and thoroughly deserved.

“Anton sets the bar in our team in terms of work rate, passion and competitiveness, and we hope we can put in a team performance befitting of the man and occasion.”

Meanwhile, Peniasi Malimali takes over from Etene Nanai-Seturo on the left wing in the only other backline change to the starting line-up which beat the Crusaders in Hamilton last weekend.

In the forwards, Brodie Retallick misses out due to a groin strain this week and Naitoa Ah Kuoi comes in to take his place while Pita Gus Sowakula takes over from Samipeni Finau on the blindside flank.

Not underestimating the Highlanders

Although the Highlanders have struggled in recent weeks, McMillan is wary of his team’s opponents.

“It was a hard-fought battle when we played the Highlanders in round three, and expect them to be a formidable opposition under the roof in Dunedin,” he said.

“They haven’t been far away in their recent performances, and with the possible injection of some key players they will be ready, so they have our full respect and attention.”

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Peniasi Malimali, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 John Ryan, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Alex Nankivell