Chiefs and All Blacks flanker, Sam Cane, will ride the pine for the Chiefs tonight when the Super 15 leaders take on the Highlanders in Dunedin, following his stellar performance for the All Blacks last weekend.

Cane, who was the second in the tackle count for the All Blacks with 20 tackles, will take his place on the bench as former All Black, and fellow Bay of Plenty Steamer, Tanerau Latimer, starts in the openside jersey.

Sam Cain playing for the Chiefs.

Fellow All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams will all return to the Chiefs' starting line-up.

Aaron Cruden, who suffered an Achilles niggle during the All Blacks 60-0 demolition of the Irish, has recovered in time to start at number 10, while explosive winger Tim Nanai-Williams returns from injury to play on the right wing.

Cane, who has been a vital member to the Chiefs success this season, has been a standout flanker in the Super Rugby competition.

The Chiefs are currently first on the Super Rugby ladder, while the Highlanders sit in eighth.

The match, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, begins tonight at 7.35pm.

Chiefs team:

1. Toby Smith

2. Mahonri Schwalger

3. Ben Tameifuna

4. Craig Clarke ©

5. Brodie Retallick

6. Liam Messam

7. Tanerau Latimer

8. Kane Thompson

9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow

10. Aaron Cruden

11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma

12. Sonny Bill Williams

13. Willison Jackson

14. Tim Nanai-Williams

15. Robbie Robinson

Bench:

16. Hika Elliot

17. Sona Taumalolo

18. Michael Fitzgerald

19. Sam Cane

20. Brendon Leonard

21. Andrew Horrell

22. Lelia Masaga