Chiefs

RNZI reports Sanzaar made the decision late last night and around six hours before the Chiefs were to leave for the airport to travel to Cape Town.

Messam joined the Chiefs after the June Internationals as injury cover having concentrated on trying to make the Olympics sevens squad.

Sanzaar ruled that as he was not part of the original squad of 40 players before April 1 and had not played four regular season matches, he could not play in the knock out stage.

Messam made just two appearances and played against the Reds and Highlanders.

Fiji born and All Blacks center Setareki Tamanivalu set up the first try for winger James Lowe after putting a kick behind fullback Israel Dagg.

Fijivillage reports the Chiefs continued the high tempo game and scored their second try which started from a fake kick from fullback Damian McKenzie.

The home side never disappointed their fans in their historic clash in Suva as they lit up the sell-out crowd despite the rain.

The Chiefs now go to the top of the New Zealand Conference with 46 points while the Crusaders have 45.

Coaches Dave Rennie (Chiefs) and Todd Blackadder (Crusaders) have listed the Fijian stars to play for their home crowd in Super Rugby's round 15 opener.

The top of the table clash could determine who hosts the semi-final in the New Zealand Conference. Nadolo and Macilai pair as wingers while Tamanivalu will feature at outside centre.                               

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder has named a near full strength side with seven returning All Blacks in his 23-member touring party. The only omissions are Ryan Crotty and Luke Romano, who are injured.

RNZI the Waratahs struggled for possession and were hemmed in their territory for much of the game. But five of their six tries came from long range, with Folau and Hooper both grabbing two each.

The Chiefs still lead the competition on 42 points, but they could be passed by the Crusaders (41), who face the Blues on Saturday.

Cruden, who missed most of last season due to a serious knee injury, had a hand in two of his side's five tries and scored another as the table-topping Chiefs overcame a tougher than expected performance from the lowly Blues.

Prop Mitchell Graham, wing Shaun Stevenson, centre Seta Tamanivalu and lock Brodie Retallick all scored tries for the Chiefs, with fullback Damian McKenzie slotted two conversions.

RNZI reports the home side welcome back the return of All Black lock Brodie Retallick while Dominic Bird will make his first start in the Chiefs' jersey since joining the franchise from the Crusaders during the off-season.

All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow will also return from injury, starting on the bench, with Brad Webber retaining the number nine jersey.

The free-running Chiefs side, led by skilful fullback Damian McKenzie, made light work of the competition's best defensive team, banking a bonus point by scoring six tries to two in front of 13,300 fans at GIO Stadium.

It was their first win in Canberra since 2008 and fourth straight on the road after six rounds.

Even just six weeks into the season, the game in Canberra tomorrow feels like it carries greater significance than most.

The Chiefs playing the Brumbies in Hamilton on August 6 ... it has to be a possibility.

He has been named on the bench for the home team's game that night against the Western Force.

Donald, who kicked the winning penalty in the final of the 2011 World Cup, will don the Chiefs jersey for the first time since then.

Three players, meanwhile, are expected to make their debut for the franchise.

The replacement halfback dived over in the dying stages of a great contest at Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (NZ time) to snuff out a late Jaguares comeback in front of a sold-out crowd of around 24,000.

In control at 23-14, the Chiefs were staring down the barrel after a gutsy home side came roaring back.