All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina returns to Super Rugby action this week after being named in the Chiefs team to play the Crusaders in Mt Maunganui on Friday night.

Muliaina missed the last four matches with fractures in his back and has not played since the Chiefs home win against the Rebels at Waikato Stadium on March 5.

But he has proven his fitness to coach Ian Foster this week and been named at fullback as the Chiefs look to turn around their ailing season.

They are 11th overall and fourth in the New Zealand conference with just two wins from seven matches.

"We have had a really solid week's preparation as we get ready for this game and then our two week tour," Foster said.

"The Crusaders have a strong playing roster and are playing as well as I have seen them play and are no doubt very confident for this game.

"We are going to have to be strong and accurate in our play to combat them and we have focused hard on that all week."

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu will play his 83rd match for the Chiefs, becoming the franchise's most-capped player ahead of former prop Michael Collins.

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Isaac Ross, Romana Graham, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Scott Waldrom, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tana Umaga, Tim Nanai-Williams.

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