Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa will return to face the Chiefs this weekend but fellow front rower Scott Sio has been ruled out of the must-win match.
Sio has failed to overcome a shoulder issue that forced him out of the Brumbies' win over the Hurricanes in Canberra, with Nic Mayhew taking his place in the starting lineup.
Alaalatoa will start for the Brumbies for the first time in more than a month after spraining his ankle in Wallabies camp ahead of the first June Test.
Lock Sam Carter has failed to shake off a back complaint for the second week in a row, giving Rory Arnold and Blake Enever starts in the second row.
In more positive injury news, backrower Lachie McCaffrey will return from his own back niggle against the Chiefs, coming off the bench for the sudden-death match.
Emerging lock Darcy Swain, who re-signed with the Brumbies this week, has dropped out of the 23.
The Brumbies need to win in Waikato to keep their slim finals chances alive, with just two regular season matches remaining.
The Brumbies take on the Chiefs in Waikato on Saturday July 7, kicking off at 5:15pm local, 3:15pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
TEAM
IN: Allan Alaalatoa, Lachie McCaffrey
OUT: Scott Sio, Darcy Swain
1. Nic Mayhew
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Blake Enever
6. Tom Cusack
7. David Pocock
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Joe Powell
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Andrew Muirhead
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Connal McInerney
17. Ben Alexander
18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19. Richie Arnold
20. Lachlan McCaffrey
21. Matt Lucas
22. Wharenui Hawera
23. Lausii Taliauli
Chiefs to face Brumbies
1. Karl Tuinukuafe
2. Nathan Harris
3. Angus Taavao
4. Michael Allardice
5. Tyler Ardron
6. Luke Jacobson
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. Brad Weber
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Shaun Stevenson
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Sean Wainui
14. Toni Pulu
15. Solomon Alaimalo
Reserves
16. Samisoni Takueiaho
17. Sam Prattley
18. Jeff Thwaites
19. Jesse Parete
20. Lachlan Boshier
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22. Marty McKenzie
23. Johnny Faauli