The Chiefs have their fingers crossed that others will step up to cover the loss of All Blacks first five Aaron Cruden.
Aaron Cruden's knee injury has him in doubt for the Chiefs Photo: Photosport
Cruden is preparing for knee reconstruction after suffering an ACL injury playing against the Crusaders last weekend.
The Taranaki pivot Marty McKenzie gets his first start of the season in the number ten jersey for the Chiefs clash against the Western Force in Hamilton tomorrow night.
Marty McKenzie playing for Taranaki, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
McKenzie headed off his younger brother Damian, who's already had a number of starts, and experienced utility back Andrew Horrell for the first-five job.
The Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge says he can only hope they have the depth to cover the absence of Cruden.
Strawbridge says you do your best to create depth in your environment so that when the worst happens and you lose someone for a lenght of time, then there is someone else ready to take their place.
He's hoping that is the case here.
The Chiefs made 5 changes for tomorrow's match, including the resting of captain Liam Meesam.
