The Crusaders' Robbie Fruean takes on the Chiefs' defence © Getty Images

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The Chiefs play host to the Crusaders in Hamilton on Friday night with both sides under pressure to match the pace set by the unbeaten and league-leading Bulls.

The Chiefs, last year's beaten finalists, have won two of the last three matches between the teams, ending a record home winning run by the Crusaders with a 30-24 victory in Christchurch in 2007 and prevailing 18-5 in Hamilton last year. But the Crusaders, who can boast eight Super Rugby titles, hold the all-time advantage having won 10 of their 14 clashes including a record 50-18 score in Christchurch five years ago.

A home defeat to the Reds last time ended the Chiefs' unbeaten start to the season and they suffered a further blow this week when captain Sione Lauaki was charged with assault. Lauaki, who has been charged in relation to an incident in a Hamilton bar last week, was in line for a return to action having served a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle but has since been stood down.

Coach Ian Foster said it was decided not to include Lauaki, given the week that he been through, adding that the player had the Chiefs' full support. The two changes Foster have made are both in the pack, with lock Craig Clarke back from injury and hooker Aled de Malmanche coming off the bench for Hika Elliott, who strained a hamstring in training.

Foster said Clarke's speedy recovery from a groin strain suffered against the Lions in round two was the result of the good job the former Crusader did with medical staff. "This has ensured his return at the best case scenario we gave him of three weeks, rather than the longer, but expected four to five weeks," he said.

Following their disappointing 23-18 loss to the Reds, Foster said he was looking for a step up in performance against the Crusaders. "I expect a real lift in our intensity, back to the levels we achieved in the first couple of weeks," he said. "Certainly there were some individuals last week that didn't get to the level they would have wanted."

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder expects the Chiefs to vent their spleen on the his side but he said his team were up for the assignment. "`We're going up there really committed, really hungry and have focused on looking forward. When they look at their game (after the Reds loss) I'm sure they'll feel they just need to refocus and it's all there."

Blackadder predicted the Chiefs would continue to play an expansive game with subtle variations. "`The first three times they threw the ball wide against the Reds they scored tries and that's just gold. They've shown all campaign they've got strikepower. We've just got to deny them that set piece pressure. They're last year's finalists and a good side. We know what it is like to get one shoved up you and I'm sure this week, with the chance to make amends, can't be too long for them. We expect it to be a confrontational and physical contest as they always are."

The Crusaders have made two changes to the team who beat the Blues 33-20 in Christchurch last Saturday. Scrum-half Andy Ellis has not recovered from a head knock in the second half against the Blues and has been replaced by regular understudy Kahn Fotuali'i, while All Blacks lock Isaac Ross, back from an ankle injury, has relegated rookie Sam Whitelock to the reserves.

Blackadder said Ellis had not recovered by today and team procedures meant he was not considered. All Blacks prop Ben Franks and No.8 Thomas Waldrom, both of whom missed the Crusaders 22-man team last week because of injury, have come on to the reserves bench in place of Peter Borlase and Jonathan Poff respectively.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo.

Replacements: Vern Kamo, Ben Afeaki, Culum Retallick, Luke Braid, Junior Poluleuligaga, Mike Delany, Dwayne Sweeney.

Crusaders: Jared Payne, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Daniel Carter, Kahn Fotuali'i, Kieran Read, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw (captain), Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Ti'i Paulo, Wyat Crockett.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks (Peter Borlase), Sam Whitelock, Thomas Waldrom (Jonathan Poff), Willi Heinz, Adam Whitelock, Colin Slade.