Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, loose forward Sione Lauaki and first five-eighth Stephen Donald will all miss the Chiefs' Super 14 rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday night.
Sivivatu was due to see a specialist today over ongoing problems with his left shoulder and the Chiefs are due to confirm later today whether the All Blacks winger will need surgery.
He had returned to action only last Friday in the Chiefs' 25-25 draw with the Cheetahs in Hamilton after recovering from a knee strain.
He is replaced by Jason Hona, who gets his first Super 14 start.
Hona, 23, has played one match in the competition, coming off the bench in the Chiefs' first-round win over the Sharks.
Lauaki has been left out after suffering bruising to an arm when he crashed his car through a fence hours after the match with the Cheetahs, which he began on the bench.
Donald, who started that match, joined the Chiefs' lengthy injury list with a calf strain, and Cullum Bruce moves in from the second five-eighth to take the No 10 jersey.
In other changes to the run-on side, Sona Taumalolo comes back from a shoulder injury at loosehead prop, while All Black Richard Kahui returns to centre after having been relegated to the reserves last week.
However, fellow All Black Brendon Leonard has again been listed on the bench, with Junior Poluleuligaga retaining the starting halfback's berth.
Chiefs: Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney, Richard Kahui, Jackson Willison, Jason Hona, Callum Bruce, Junior Poluleuligaga, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (captain), Culum Retallick, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche/Vern Kamo, Ben Afeaki, Kevin O'Neill, Luke Braid, Brendon Leonard, Trent Renata, Phil Burleigh.
