Three of the Chiefs' All Blacks will return to action when they play the Blues in their second Super 14 pre-season match at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Friday.

The halfback combination of Brendon Leonard at No.9 and Mike Delany at No.10 will start against the Blues, while loose forward Liam Messam will play off the extended replacement bench.

However, several other All Blacks - Tanerau Latimer, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald and Mils Muliaina - were not considered for the 2009 finalists' trip to Albany.

Star centre Richard Kahui, one of the few standout players in the 24-31 loss to the Highlanders last week, will again wear the No.13 jersey.

Kahui returned to action following a serious shoulder problem and impressed head coach Ian Foster - who was also delighted to have stand-in captain Sione Lauaki, who missed most of the Air NZ Cup with a foot injury, back in action.

"For him and Sione it's been a long time away," Foster said.

Young Counties-Manukau fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, who was also impressive in his first outing, will again start at No.15.

The game in Albany will be played in 20 minutes quarters and it is expected all 26 players will get game time.

The Chiefs' final pre-season match will take place the following week, when they tackle the Hurricanes at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Jackson Willison, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki (captain), 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements - from: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Kevin O'Neill, Romana Graham, Liam Messam, Jack Lam, Junior Poluleuligaga, Phil Burleigh, Trent Renata, Siale Piutau.

Date: Friday, January 29
Venue: North Harbour Stadium Albany
Kick-off: 17.30 (04.30 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan White