Johan Bardoul's no frills grit and determination is fast becoming synonymous with a high flying Chiefs outfit.

The Bay of Plenty Steamer is one of two changes to the Chiefs side taking on the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium tomorrow night – minus World Rugby international player of the year Brodie Retallick.

Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker Johan Bardoul offloads to Charlie Ngatai in the lead up to Sonny Bill Williams' try against the Crusaders in Hamilton. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Replacing Retallick 10 minutes into last week's 40-16 demolition of the Crusaders, Bardoul was the pick of the bunch for the remainder of the tie, and was a heavy presence in the lead up to Sonny Bill Williams' first-half try.

Debuting against the Blues in the opening round, Bardoul has been one of the major talking points so far this season and will be eager to continue to stamp his mark in his first Super Rugby season.

The reshuffle means Michael Fitzgerald moves from flanker to lock, with Retallick expected to be out for four-to-six weeks with a grade three AC joint injury.

Also in doubt for tomorrow night's match is skipper Liam Messam, who is going through concussion protocols this week after passing a sideline test during the victory over the Crusaders.

Rennie has bracketed his skipper at No.8 with Maama Vaipulu.

Should Vaipulu start then Japan captain Michael Leitch, who has joined the squad from his Japanese club this week, will go on to the reserves' bench and will be in line for his Super Rugby debut.

A sole change has been made to the Chiefs backline with former All Black Hosea Gear returning to the right wing against his old team in place of Bryce Heem.

Michael Allardice will get the chance to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench, while Andrew Horrell will also get his first match of the season, taking the place of Seta Tamanivalu on the bench.

'We appreciated the fantastic support we had from our home crowd last weekend,” says Chiefs coach Dave Rennie. 'It was a big game and the boys recovered well, so we are really happy with the squad we are able to put on the park.

'The Highlanders have a smart coaching group and we know they will come with a plan to challenge us all over the field.”

The Chiefs sit joint top of the New Zealand conference with the Hurricanes on 13 points, and both are unbeaten after three rounds. The Highlanders are in third with five points.

After tomorrow's match the Chiefs head to South Africa ahead of clashes with the Stormers in Cape Town and the Bulls in Pretoria.

The Chiefs next home match is against the Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium on March 28 at 4.30pm.

Chiefs side to face the Highlanders in Hamilton tomorrow night (7.35pm):

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Tameifuna
4. Matt Symons
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Johan Bardoul
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam ©/Maama Vaipulu
9. Augustine Pulu
10. Aaron Cruden
11. James Lowe
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Hosea Gear
15. Tom Marshall