Dominic Bird at Chiefs training as preparations commenced for the Blues on Friday.

Dominic Bird will finally make his Chiefs debut when the Blues visit Waikato Stadium on Friday night.

The giant lock, dubbed 'the biggest man in New Zealand rugby' by his coach Dave Rennie, has sufficiently recovered from the broken foot he sustained at training earlier this year.

And with a towering height of 2.06 meters, it's hard to argue with Rennie, who's made five changes from the Chiefs starting team who ran riot in the second half, again, as they beat the Brumbies 48-23 in Canberra last weekend.

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Brodie Retallick is back following a rib injury and his return, alongside Bird's, shores up their imposing lineout, with the Chiefs already boasting the competition's highest lineout success rate (97.7 per cent).

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"We did consider starting one of them on the bench but they're both keen and ready to go," said Rennie, who gave Bird an extra week of recovery for the clash with the Blues on Friday.

PHOTOSPORT Former Crusaders lock Dominic Bird will debut for the Chiefs against the Blues.

"He (Bird) is the biggest man in New Zealand rugby, so he's an asset at lineouts," added Rennie. "It's real passion of his and he's been driving that this week.

"He'll admit that physicality is an area we've really pushed with him, so that will be a focus for him at the weekend - carry, clean and tackle.

"He's contributed really well and we're stoked to get him out on the field, finally.

"Everyone's excited. Blues and Chiefs games are always big affairs. Our guys know a lot of the opposition and have a lot of friends in the opposition, but we'll put that aside for 80 minutes. It's normally pretty brutal, so it's great to be playing at home."

Michael Allardice, an ever present for the Chiefs this season at lock, is rested, with Taleni Seu dropping to the bench.

Rennie said: "Michael Allardice has played every game and been in every training, so it's a chance to freshen him up - and Taleni we've put to the bench, mainly because he can cover six and lock as well."

Atu Moli, who captained the All Blacks under-20s to success in the world rugby championships last June, will make his first start in Super Rugby at tighthead prop, coming in to replace Siate Tokolahi, who drops to the bench.

The Chiefs have lost props Nepo Laulala and Pauliasi Manu in recent weeks and one area they struggled with against the Brumbies was their scrum - but now Moli, 20, will have an opportunity to cement a spot in the front row.

"He's a young man we've been trying to groom through." Rennie said of Moli. "As far as the tightheads we've got left, he's the best ball carrier, the best tackling and he's got the best clean-out.

"Scrummaging's been his focus and he's made some good shifts there."

Former Highlanders prop, Kane Hames, is training with the Chiefs but there is no indication yet that he will be considered for selection, as he continues with his recovery from patellar tendonitis in both his knees.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow is back in the squad following a concussion knock but the form of Brad Weber at halfback leaves the All Blacks World Cup winner on the bench.

Weber finished off arguably the pick of the Chiefs tries against the Brumbies, scooting clear with tremendous pace after James Lowe and Damian McKenzie started a sensational move from their own 22.

"We're lucky that in that position," said Rennie. "We wanted to reward Brad. He was very sharp at the weekend and he deserves another start.

"We've pretty much split it. Brad's started four and Tawera's started three. Tawera will really add something off the bench as well."

The Chiefs have also made two enforced changes, with flanker Tom Sanders (shoulder) and winger Toni Pulu (calf) struggling with minor injuries.

Shaun Stevenson replaces Pulu and Maama Vaipulu will step in for Sanders.

"Maama being a Counties boy will relish the opportunity to come up against the Blues," said Rennie.

CHIEFS: Damian McKenzie, Shaun Stevenson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden (co-c), Brad Weber, Michael Leitch, Sam Cane (co-c), Maama Vaipulu, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Atu Moli, Hika Elliot, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Siate Tokolahi, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Taleni Seu, Sam Henwood, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Seta Tamanivalu, Sam McNicol.