Western Force coach Simon Cron knows every game in the race to the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific finals is a massive challenge as the side prepare for Friday's Anzac Day clash with the table-topping Chiefs at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.
The Force are fifth on the ladder, four points inside the top six, but in this season's cutthroat competition every point is vital.
"Every single one of these games is crucial," Cron told reporters during the CD Dodd Conference after Thursday's Captain's Run.
"Every game at the moment becomes a real fight and a real battle and critical towards finals. We understand the importance of it."
He said similarities between the Hurricanes, who played out a 17-17 draw with the Force in the last round, helped prepare for the Chiefs (live on Stan Sport, kick-off 3:05pm WST).
"Definitely think there's some similarities between the way the play, the size of their bodies, the contact zones," he said.
"The boys are getting used to that. They (Chiefs) are definitely an amazing side, they're well coached, they've got some great individuals in that group who can spark a game.
"At the same time our boys have worked really hard on our game and what we need to do to be successful in Super Rugby.
"The contact zone, for example, is really critical for us over this block of games. The guys are really focused on what we can do.
"We understand the importance of the game and we understand how classy the Chiefs are as a franchise and as a team. It's excitement more than anything."
The Chiefs will be without star playmaker Damian McKenzie who has a hand injury, but Cron said: "One player doesn't make a team and especially not that team.
"They won't play a hell of a lot different. It won't change them a whole lot."
Cron has made three changes to the starting line-up.
Loosehead prop Ryan Coxon will face his former side after returning from a rib injury, Will Harris will wear the No.6 jumper and scrum-half and current Force Rising Star winner Henry Robertson will make his maiden start after 10 Super Rugby appearances.
They replace Marley Pearce and Vaiolini Ekuasi who picked up shoulder injuries and Nic White who is out with head injury protocols, all sustained in the last round.
Former Australia U20s and UWA No.9 Doug Philipson is in line for his Super Rugby debut off the bench.
"Robbo has been with us for a while and been unlucky with injury," Cron said.
"He's a really talented (No.) 9. He's got a good kicking game, a great pass, verbally brilliant, awesome defender.
"He's deserved of these minutes, and he deserves a start. This is a great opportunity for him."
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has stayed in Perth with the birth of his first baby imminent.
"Dougie has been toiling away in the background, training hard in the pre-season," Cron said.
"With Finesy having his first baby due it opens the door to Dougie."
Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale travelled with the squad and could make a return from injury against the Blues.
He has been sidelined since last June after rupturing his Achilles tendon while playing club rugby.
"He is on a return-to-play protocol, got to pass a few things, do a few things this week and into next, and could possibly be available for selection against the Blues," Cron said.
"He adds a lot to our environment and pretty impressive comeback if he is available next week."
The Force, the most travelled side in the competition, have begun the final part of their 2025 Super Rugby journey that adds another 24,000 kilometres to their travel.
Having flown early Sunday morning to New Zealand to face the Chiefs and Blues, they return to Perth for the Brumbies and then head off to Fiji before coming back to HBF Park to face the Waratahs ahead of their second bye in the last round.
The 10,000 capacity Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, traditionally a cricket ground, hosts a Super Rugby match for the first time.
"It's really well set up. It's very different," Cron said.
"They've done a good job in making sure the rugby field is covered and bordered so the boys have got an understanding of the field. It will be cool for them."
Western Force
Starting XV; Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Champion de Crespigny; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy.
Reserves; Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Sam Carter, Reed Prinsep (vc), Doug Philipson, Max Burey, George Poolman
Chiefs
Starting XV: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kaleb Trask
Game details
Chiefs vs Western Force
Friday 25 April, 3:05pm WST
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Live on Stan Sport
EndFragment
