It will be Cruden's first game since picking up a serious knee injury against France in last year's Rugby World Cup final.

The pre-season clash in Geelong will allow the Chiefs' coaches to assess their new recruit's condition.

However, they won't be able to see him in combination with Sonny Bill Williams, who was lured from the Crusaders.

Williams is preparing for a boxing match against American-born Auckland resident, Clarence Tillman, on February 8.

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.