The Crusaders will host the Force at Orangetheory Stadium this Saturday afternoon, with head coach Simon Cron making three changes to his starting XV.
Isi Nasarani is back in the blue jersey, starting in the back row, a familiar sight for the Sea of Blue and Australian Rugby supporters alike. Nasarani held the Force #8 jersey early in his career, starting his professional stride as a fresh-faced 22-year-old in 2017. He runs out alongside captain Michael Wells at flanker and former Force and West Australian product Carlo Tizzano.
Tim Anstee remains unavailable after suffering a head knock in the first half of the Round 10 match in Brisbane. He will proceed with the compulsory 12-day HIA protocol.
Rugby 7's star Max Burey, enters the Force lineup. Recently returned from the World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong, Burey will start at fly half, steering the team in his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Bryce Hegarty is unavailable for selection with a knee injury and is being monitored in Perth. He will aim to return to play at the end of the season.
Santiago Medrano returns to the fold after withdrawing from last week's match with a rib injury. The Argentinian prop will shape up in the front row with recent debutant Charlie Hancock and on-form hooker Tom Horton.
Round three debutant Nikolai Foliaki rejoins the mix, called in at #22. The Tongan centre will look to make his second Super Rugby appearance on Saturday afternoon against a solid Crusaders outfit.
Captain Michael Wells is confident in the team’s ability and focus heading into the Crusaders challenge.
“The best thing is focusing on ourselves, focusing on our processes, our jobs, keeping guys keyed on the next 10 seconds, whatever that involves in the game,” he said.
“You acknowledge the fact that it’s a challenge and you can either rise to that challenge or you can fall to it - I hope that we’re the type of group that continues to rise to challenges rather than fall.”
Saturday's match will be the squad's last game in New Zealand this season.
