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Centre Richard Kahui returns to a rejigged Chiefs side desperate to post its first win of the Super 14 campaign against the in-form Western Force in Hamilton tomorrow night.
The return of the classy All Blacks centre, who injured a hip in a heavy collision with Casey Laulala in a first-round defeat by the Crusaders, is one of three changes to the side that suffered a third-straight bonus-point loss, against the Sharks in Hamilton, last Saturday.
Kahui's return will provide a much-needed boost to a back division that has yet to fully find its rhythm operating behind a forward pack that has struggled for parity. But there is still no sign of captain Mils Muliaina, who strained his back in the build-up to the round-two Waratahs match.
"[Muliaina] has had some good stride-outs and come through it pretty well and it is really now wait ... to see how it goes for the next four or five days," coach Ian Foster said.
"We are hopeful for next week but it will be wait-and-see."
No 8 Sione Lauaki is also absent, ruled out with a minor hamstring complaint. Serge Lilo has been named to start at openside, while Tanerau Latimer switches to the blindside and stand-in captain Liam Messam to No 8 in a reshuffled loose forward trio.
Foster has also tweaked his front row, with prop Sona Taumalolo being rested after three straight starts.
After starting the first two matches at tighthead, Ben May switches to loosehead in a front row that includes Aled de Malmanche at hooker and James McGoughan, the Bay of Plenty prop who impressed during his first Super Rugby start against the Sharks on Saturday night. Foster said he was out to utilise the fresh legs available in a front row division that has been mixed at best so far this season.
"Zona [Taumalolo] has played three big games for us and it is his first year at Super 14 level.
"He's had a niggling knee injury that is not enough to keep him out of contention but we just felt with McGoughan's good showing last week and Ben May playing very well off the bench we would use the guys available and give Zona a chance to freshen up."
Kahui's return to fitness leaves no place in the 22 for Dwayne Sweeney. Jackson Willison is preferred on the bench as the midfield cover.
After a narrow loss to the Blues in round one, the Force have posted consecutive wins over the Cheetahs and Brumbies to go to fourth on the ladder.
