Influential Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker Tanerau Latimer gets the chance to mark his 100th Chiefs cap in style lining up against the Crusaders in Hamilton tomorrow.

The uncompromising warrior becomes the second Chief to reach 100 Super Rugby matches for the franchise, joining close friend and teammate Liam Messam. He reached 100 Super Rugby caps against the Stormers five weeks ago.

The Chiefs play the Rebels last weekend.

Latimer is also one of a very small group of players who has represented New Zealand in three black jerseys when he played for the All Blacks, the Maori All Blacks and the All Black Sevens, winning a commonwealth gold medal with them.

And ironically Latimer will bring up the milestone against the side that gave him his first shot back in 2006 – the Crusaders fresh from their South African leg of the season.

Overall there are six changes to the Chiefs side that clung on to a 22-16 victory against the Melbourne Rebels last week.

Prop Pauliasi Manu starts at prop with Brodie Retallick cleared to take his place at lock alongside Michael Fitzgerald.

The All Black lock failed a concussion test in the win over the Rebels and was initially in doubt with suspected concussion but has passed all of the required tests.

Co-captain Liam Messam returns in the No. 6 jersey and joins Latimer and Liam Squire in the loose forward trio – Squire replacing Kane Thompson.

In the backline Tawera Kerr-Barlow starts at halfback, in place of Augustine Pulu, and winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma will take the field after two weeks out with a knee injury.

The selection of the Fijian winger sees veteran Mils Muliaina drop out of the 23 altogether.

Four changes have been made to the bench with Jamie Mackintosh, Sam Cane, Matt Symons and Pulu all added to the reserves.

Chiefs' coach Dave Rennie knows this is a titanic battle in what has shaped as great rivalry in recent seasons.

'The Crusaders are a bloody good side with good players that we respect,” says Rennie.

'It is a big occasion being Lats' 100th match for the Chiefs and the boys rate him highly so they are keen to front for him.”