Chiefs get hard-fought win over Western Force

The Chiefs finished strong to leave Perth with a hard-fought 24-14 victory over the Western Force.

All you need to know

All Blacks winger Leroy Carter will make his first Super Rugby Pacific start at centre when the Chiefs face the Western Force in Perth.

With Daniel Rona and Lalakai Foketi sidelined through injury, Carter shifts to the midfield, a position he’s only played twice during his career with Bay of Plenty in the NPC.

Emoni Narawa, who announced he had re-signed with the Chiefs on Wednesday, will start on the right wing, with Damian McKenzie moving to fullback and Josh Jacomb taking his place at first five-eighths.

Brodie McAlister is set to start for the first time this year after being sidelined with a broken hand.

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes said while there was a revamped look to the team, many of the changes were injury enforced and it remained a quality 23.

“This is still a very experienced and strong side that reflects the depth we have in the squad,” Gibbes said.

“We don’t take the Force lightly, especially on their home patch and after the loss to the Brumbies last week it’s important we get the little things right on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Zac Lomax’s wait for a Super Rugby Pacific debut goes on after being left out of the matchday squad.

Coach Simon Cron has made one change to his side with backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi joining the loose forward trio.

The Chiefs are on an eight-game winning streak against the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific.

Force: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Bayley Kuenzle, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. George Bridge, 14. Darby Lancaster, 15. Max Burey.

Bench: 16. Leonel Oviedo, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Misinale Epenisa, 19. Lopeti Faifua, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Divad Palu.

Chiefs: 1. Jared Profitt, 2. Brodie McAlister, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Simon Parker, 9. Xavier Roe, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13. Leroy Carter, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Damian McKenzie.

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Sione Ahio, 19. Fiti Sa, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Kyle Brown, 23. Kyren Taumoefolau.