All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden will play his first match for the Chiefs, when they take on the Rebels in a Super Rugby pre-season match in Geelong on Friday.

Cruden returns to action for the first time since the knee injury he suffered playing for New Zealand in the World Cup Final against France in Auckland in October last year.

Cruden, 22, hyper-extended his right knee half an hour into the All Blacks' 8-7 win over the French.

Coach Dave Rennie, who named a 29-strong squad for the trip across the Tasman, said he will look to give the entire travelling squad a run and will utilize the game time to play different combinations, as they prepare for the new extended Super Rugby season.

The travelling squad includes some of the Chiefs wider training squad, who Rennie expects will be called upon during the season.

New signing Sonny Bill Williams won't be travelling, concentrating instead on his February 8 New Zealand heavyweight title boxing bout against Clarence Tillman in Hamilton.

Chiefs squad: Alex Bradley, Phillip Burleigh, Shane Cleaver, Aaron Cruden, Marcel Cumming-Toone, Hika Elliot, Mike Fitzgerald, Josh Hohneck, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Martino Nemani, Augustine Pulu, Ronald Raaymakers, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Toby Smith, Ben Tameifuna, Sona Taumalolo, Kane Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Scott Waldrom, Jackson Willison.

Date: Friday, February 3
Venue: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
Kick-off: 18.20 (07.20 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh, Matt Hall