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Aaron Cruden kicks a penalty for the Chiefs against the Cheetahs. - Source: Photosport
All Blacks first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has recovered from injury to take his place in the Chiefs starting line-up for their Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.
Cruden put in a spectacular performance to set up the All Blacks' 60-0 demolition of Ireland on Saturday night before he was forced from the field with an achilles injury.
All Blacks management admitted that he had been struggling with the niggly injury all season, but has been given the all clear to start as the Chiefs try to consolidate their position at the top of the Super Rugby standings.
Meanwhile the hero from the Hamilton Test Sam Cane has been sent back to the bench for Friday night with Tanerau Latimer retained on the open-side flank.
Other All Blacks returning for the Chiefs are Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick and Hika Elliot who has been named on the bench. Tim Nanai-Williams returns from injury to play on the wing.
Chiefs: 15-Robbie Robinson, 14-Tim Nanai-Williams, 13-Willison Jackson, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 11-Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 8-Kane Thompson, 7-Tanerau Latimer, 6-Liam Messam, 5-Brodie Retallick, 4-Craig Clarke (c), 3-Ben Tameifuna, 2-Mahonri Schwalger, 1-Toby Smith.
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Michael Fitzgerald, Sam Cane, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga.