Chiefs v Force: Teams

Western Force coach John Mitchell has made just one change to his starting XV for Friday's clash with the Chiefs in Waikato, with flanker Tamaiti Horua replacing the injured Richard Brown.

Brown strained his left shoulder in the Force's 25-16 win over the Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday.

Horua has been elevated to the blindside flank, with Matt Hodgson moving to the back of the scrum.

Horua, who started the opening two matches of the Force's 2009 campaign in the number six jersey, returns to that role after a spell on the reserves bench last weekend.

On the bench, 50-cap veteran David Pusey has been named in the match 22 for the first time this season after being drafted into the touring squad to replace the injured Brown, while 117kg prop AJ Whalley replaces Kieran Longbottom after missing two matches with an ankle sprain.

Wary

Whalley was originally scheduled to play a club rugby trial fixture for Warringah in Sydney this weekend, but was drafted into the team to bolster the front row stocks.

Inside centre Junior Pelesasa retains his place in the run-on side ahead of 18-year-old James O'Connor, while Cameron Shepherd has again been named on the wing after his three-try haul against the Brumbies.

The Chiefs are yet to win a game this season but Mitchell remained wary of the New Zealand side.

"The Chiefs have had opportunities to win each of their matches so far and their position on the table is not really a reflection of where they're at," Mitchell said.

"They've played the top three sides and have been very committed and once again they'll be desperate to perform well at home."

The Chiefs welcome the return of classy centre Richard Kahui to the starting line-up for the visit of Force to Hamilton.

May return

Kahui spent the last two weeks recovering from a hip injury but passed a fitness test to earn selection. He is the only change in the Chiefs back-line that lost to the Sharks last Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the Chiefs forward pack Ben May will this week start at loosehead prop, combining with last week's starting front rowers Aled de Malmanche (hooker) and James McGougan (tighthead).

The Chiefs loose forward combination changes due to Sione Lauaki being ruled out of contention with a hamstring strain.

Tanerau Latimer moves to blindside, with Serge Lilo earning his first starting spot of the season at number seven, and captain Liam Messam goes to number eight.

"Sione's tight hamstring was just not going to be right in time, especially taking into consideration our short turn around to a Friday game," said Chiefs coach Ian Foster.

Foster added Mils Muliaina was progressing well but was not quite ready for Friday's game.

"We have made progress, but it is essential we build on the standards we have set and continue to improve for this encounter."

Chiefs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Liam Messam (c), 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 James McGougan, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Joe Savage, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Colin Bourke, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Jackson Willison.

Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Junior Pelesasa, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock, 6 Tamaiti Horua, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 David Pusey, 19 Richard Stanford, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 James O'Connor, 22 Haig Sare.