Rugby friendships will be momentarily put aside this weekend as the first full round of the Super Rugby Championship sparks to life.

Following the Australian conference starting last week due to the upcoming British and Irish Lions Tour in June and July, four of the five New Zealand franchises will be looking to open their accounts in style this weekend with two highly anticipated New Zealand derbies.

All Black and Bay of Plenty flanker Sam Cane has been named to start in the Chiefs opening match against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

The Highlanders will face the Chiefs in Dunedin while the Hurricanes take on the Blues in Wellington.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie and his squad head into the season on the back of three preseason wins against the Highlanders, Reds and Hurricanes aiming to collect back to back championships.

However, they face a stern opening assignment against the boys from the south who have recruited strongly in the offseason acquiring Ma'a Nonu, Brad Thorn and Tony Woodcock to bolster their ranks and put themselves in contention for a maiden championship.

Following a string of injuries to his backline stocks, Dave has named his team mixed with international experience and the latest wave of x-factor including loosehead prop Pauliasi Manu, fullback Gareth Anscombe and All Blacks Liam Messam and Aaron Cruden.

Tim Nanai-Williams will take the field at centre, after a solid performance in last week's trial against the Hurricanes while midfielders, Bundee Aki and Charlie Ngatai have both been cleared to play.

Bay of Plenty Steamers players Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane are set to start in the forward pack with Tanerau Latimer and Lelia Masaga named on the bench.

Bundee and Charlie along with winger Patrick Osborne and hooker Rhys Marshall will make their Investec Super Rugby debuts while Hika Elliot, Andrew Horrell, Robbie Robinson, Brendon Leonard, and Richard Kahui are all out injured.

Dave says it is good to finally start the competition after the hard work everyone has put in during the preseason.

'I know the boys have been training hard and are looking forward to getting stuck into it, especially our new caps.”

The Crusaders begin their season with the bye and will open their campaign against the Blues in Auckland next Friday night.

Chiefs team to play the Highlanders at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday at 7.35pm

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke ©
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Liam Messam
7. Sam Cane
8. Fritz Lee
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Bundee Aki
13. Tim Nanai-Williams
14. Patrick Osborne
15. Gareth Anscombe
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Ben Tameifuna
18. Michael Fitzgerald
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Charlie Ngatai
22. Lelia Masaga