AAP
March 21, 2014, 10:37 am


All Blacks loose forward Sam Cane will make his first Super Rugby start of the season after recovering from a back injury to face the Western Force.

The Chiefs' No.7 replaces Tanerau Latimer in the line-up for Saturday's match in Perth and lock Michael Fitzgerald also comes into the pack for the defending champions who have a perfect record this season.

Coach Dave Rennie also shuffles the backline, with wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma restored to the starting side after dropping to the bench for last week's defeat of the Stormers.

Tim Nanai-Williams shifts to centre, while former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina makes his return to the line-up on the wing with Gareth Anscombe retaining the No.15 jersey.

"We encounter a Western Force team that is in a confident mood and a team we have struggled to put away in the past so it is a challenge the boys are looking forward to," Rennie said.

Anton Lienert-Brown, an 18-year-old midfield back, is in line to make his Chiefs debut off the bench.

Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tom Marshall, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden (co-capt), Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (co-capt), Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Mahroni Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu, Josh Hohneck, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Anton Lienert-Brown.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ck-for-chiefs/