KEY POINTS:
Showing a belief in the strength of their squad, the Chiefs have made six changes for tomorrow's match against the Western Force in Hamilton.
Regular captain Jono Gibbes is back at lock, after making appearances off the bench in the last two games as he recovered from a calf injury.
In a rejigged loose forward mix, Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam come in for seasoned pair Marty Holah and Steven Bates - Holah missing the 22 altogether - and versatile front rower Aled de Malmanche gets his first start at loosehead prop for Simms Davison, after six runs off the bench in the Super 14.
In the backline, Tasesa Lavea and Dwayne Sweeney form a new midfield pairing - Lavea back after recovering from a knee strain, Sweeney in on the strength of his showing off the bench against the Highlanders last weekend.
"I guess the way we are approaching this match shows we are prepared to make a few changes on the basis that there's a lot of rugby still to come," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said.
"We want our players to be 100 per cent fit and raring to go for what we think will be a physical game at the breakdown."
Sitiveni Sivivatu stays at fullback, from where he bagged two tries against the Highlanders; a result which put the Chiefs sixth, five points out of the top four, and three behind the fifth-placed Force, which only emphasises the importance of the contest for both teams.
It will be the first Super 14 visit back to his old stamping ground for Force coach John Mitchell.
The former Waikato captain has brought Matt Giteau in one spot to first five-eighths, AJ Whalley replaces Troy Takiari at tighthead prop and Matt Hodgson comes in for flanker David Pocock, who is injured.
* All Black lock James Ryan will miss the rest of the Super 14 after injuring his left knee in the Highlanders loss against the Chiefs. Tom Donnelly will take his place.
