LIVE: Force on the ropes against clinical Chiefs

FORCE vs CHIEFS, Saturday 10pm AEST in Perth

The Force have been bolstered for their trans-Tasman opener with the return of Ireland great Rob Kearney at fullback.

Force coach Tim Sampson has also recalled Jake McIntyre at five-eighth in place of Argentina international Domingo Miotti.

Further tweaks to the backline see Henry Taefu slot into inside centre, captain Kyle Godwin push out to No.13 and former Chiefs star Richard Kahui to the right wing.

“We are really excited, especially given the fact it’s the first time we’ll be playing a New Zealand Super Rugby team since 2017,” Sampson said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to face clubs of this calibre again. Rob and Jake bring invaluable experience. Jake has played Super Rugby against New Zealand’s sides earlier in his career for the Queensland Reds and performed really well. Rob has a spring in his step this week and will provide a level head that will serve us well, especially given his experience against the All Blacks in his career… we like to play a similar brand of rugby, so it’s sure to be a great spectacle on Saturday night.”

Meanwhile, Chiefs star Damian McKenzie has been switched from fullback to five-eighth as the Hamilton club looks to shrug off the disappointment of losing the Aotearoa final to the Crusaders on Saturday.

The McKenzie move means Chase Tiatia takes over at fullback while Bryn Gatland drops to the bench.

Other changes see Shaun Stevenson, Nathan Harris and Josh Lord earn promotions to the starting side.

“We are excited for the opportunity to get back on the road again and play our counterparts over in Australia,” Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said.

“We are fortunate that this competition allows us to jump right back into work. It will test our environment and challenge us as a team to bounce back and deliver on the field once again this weekend in Perth. We trust that the team we have selected will do this.”

FORCE (15-1): Rob Kearney, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin (c), Henry Taefu, Joran Olowofela, Jake McIntyre, Tomas Cubelli, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Fergus Lee-Warner, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Feleti Kaitu’u, Tom Robertson

Reserves: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Ian Prior, Domingo Miotti, Jake Strachan

CHIEFS (15-1): Chase Tiatia, Shaun Stevenson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris, Aidan Ross

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Joe Apikotoa, Zane Kapeli, Liam Messam, Xavier Roe, Bryn Gatland, Bailyn Sullivan

Referee: Damon Murphy (AUS)