A refreshed and raring to go All Blacks trio has added another level of strike power to the Chiefs as they aim to get past the Brumbies for the first time since the 2013 Super Rugby Final.

After missing all the Chiefs' pre-season games and last week's opening round win against the Blues, Liam Messam, Aaron Cruden and 2014 World Rugby international player of the year Brodie Retallick are welcomed back.

Chiefs and All Black first five Aaron Cruden is one of three All Blacks to return to the Chiefs side this weekend. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Tonight the two sides clash at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth - the Chiefs' third match in nine months in Taranaki - with the home side keen to rectify a dismal showing against the Australian side in 2014.

Last week the Brumbies thumped the Reds 47-3 in Canberra and got past the Chiefs in both of last year's encounters in the Australian capital.

Messam will captain the side from the blindside, in place of Bay of Plenty's Johan Bardoul, while Aaron Cruden starts at first five-eighth ahead of last week's stand out performer Damian McKenzie.

But an impressive outing from stand-in skipper Matt Symons and locking partner Mike Fitzgerald means Retallick will make his way back into Super Rugby via the bench.

The Chiefs backline is given another increase in size with former All Black Hosea Gear starting on the wing – his first Super Rugby start after a two-year stint in France and Japan.

Injuries to Tom Marshall and Tim Nanai-Williams means James Lowe moves from the wing to fullback with Gear starting on the left wing. Bryce Heem retains his spot on the right wing.

Other changes to the run on side see prop Jamie Mackintosh line up alongside Hika Elliot and last week's debutant Siate Tokolahi, who holds out Ben Tameifuna, in the front row.

In the reserves, a Chiefs debut is in the offing for hooker Quentin MacDonald, who returns to Super Rugby after a season away, and ITM Cup Player of the Year Seta Tamanivalu is set to make his Chiefs and Investec Super Rugby debut in front of his home crowd.

They are joined on the bench by props Pauliasi Manu, Tameifuna and McKenzie.

'There is a huge amount of competition for places and we are excited to have our returning All Blacks back in the mix,” says Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.

'Between our team and the Brumbies there are plenty of world class players on display and with the styles both teams like to play it will be a real positive game.”

Following tonight's match the Chiefs will return to Waikato Stadium on Saturday, February 28 when they play the Crusaders.

Chiefs side to face the Brumbies:

1. Jamie Mackintosh
2. Hika Elliot
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Matt Symons
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Liam Messam ©
7. Sam Cane
8. Maama Vaipulu
9. Brad Weber
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Hosea Gear*
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Charlie Ngatai
14. Bryce Heem
15. James Lowe

Bench: Quentin MacDonald*, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Tevita Koloamatangi, Augustine Pulu, Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu**

*Chiefs debutants

**Investec Super Rugby Debut