The tale of the table would tell you this match is a foregone conclusion, but with the injury to Cruden and return of Hodgson for the Force it may prove to be anything but.
Return of the Talisman
The moment every Force fan has been waiting for finally arrives this week, the return of Matt Hodgson. The talismatic leader dragged the Force to wins they had no right of claiming all through the 2014 season. His value isn’t so much in his open side play, though he was in vintage form. It’s that he lifts the team around him.
Another inspiration will be that Pek Cowan will run on for his 100th cap for the Force
But if the Force are to compete with the Chiefs, they will need to find a way to score more points. In a damning statistic, the Force have lead and in most cases dominated the battle for possession and territory in all of their 4 lost recent losses.
| Opponent | Force’s Possession | Force’s Territory | Losing Margin |
| Stormers | 58% | 62% | 7 |
| Cheetahs | 67% | 52% | 9 |
| Sharks | 68% | 55% | 6 |
| Bulls | 50% | 55% | 1 |
The cynical Force fan may even suspect the other teams are happy to gift possession to the Force, knowing they butcher too many of their opportunities to hurt them on the scoreboard.
Aaron Cruden – desperately unlucky
The Chiefs
In desperately unlucky timing, Aaron Cruden ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing against the Crusaders last week, which will almost certainly put him out of the Rugby World Cup.
For most Super teams the loss of the first choice pivot would leave the cupboard bare. But Coach Rennie is fortunate to have three credible options in Andrew Horrell, and the McKenzie Brothers, Marty and Damian. In a some what surprising move, Rennie has chosen to start Marty McKenzie. After the superb job by Horrell in replacing the injured Cruden last week, many thought he would be the obvious choice. But with Marty having lead Taranaki to the NPC title in 2014, he was always slated to get his chance and the Chiefs have decided this is to be the week.
In other changes, the Chiefs have elected to use this week to rest Captain Liam Messam in line with All Black player management policy. Lock Matt Symons will Captain in his absence and Ben Tameifuna will move to the bench in recognition of his work load against the Crusaders last week. The only change in the backs is James Lowe will drop out of the 23 (rest also) and Bryce Heem will come onto the vacant wing.
Marty McKenzie – gets his big chance
The Western Force
Whilst Hodgson returns for the Force, replacing Chris Alcock, two of the team’s most experienced players Sam Wykes (foot) and Alby Mathewson (knee) will miss the game through injury.
Steve Mafi will move into the second row and his place on the blindside flank will be taken by Angus Cottrell. Ian Prior replaces Mathewson which gives an opportunity for big scrummie Ryan Louwrens to make his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
The Key Matchups
The losses of two key players when the Force has to ambush the Chiefs is disappointing. If the Force are to stand any chance of winning, they will need to shut down the Chiefs’ midfield and nullify the line breaking ability of Tim Nanai-Williams.
The challenge of plucky but fresh-faced inside centre Luke Burton against his direct opponent, Sonny Bill Williams could be a trial by fire.
With the only prize still within the Force’s grasp being the wooden spoon, I would have liked to have seen Coach Foley mix it up and try some combinations for the future. I would have tried Luke Burton at 10, Godwin at 12 and Cummins at 13. This would not only give Cummins more opportunity with the ball, but also give one of the fringe wingers a chance.
It seems a shame to bring Mitch Scott over the ditch and Akihito Yamada from Japan, and then neither to get a chance to show what they can do.
Perhaps we will see this later in the game if flyhalf Sias Ebersohn is benched and everybody moves in.
Pek Cowan – plays his 100th game for the Force
Prediction
I believe the Chiefs have underestimated the Force. The Force have a strong history of fronting up in New Zealand when they feel they have been disrespected (ask Jamie Joseph circa 2011). With the resting of so many first choice players and the injury to Cruden there is a very real chance the Force buoyed by the inclusion of Hodgson will lift and strangle the Chiefs out of the game.
Force by 7 or less
[one_half last=”no”]
Chiefs v Force
 |  | 
|
| Mitchell Graham | 1 | Pekahou Cowan |
| Hika Elliot | 2 | Nathan Charles |
| Siate Tokolahi | 3 | Tetera Faulkner |
| Matt Symons | 4 | Steve Mafi |
| Brodie Retallick | 5 | Adam Coleman |
| Johan Bardoul | 6 | Angus Cottrell |
| Sam Cane | 7 | Matt Hodgson |
| Michael Leitch | 8 | Ben McCalman |
| Brad Weber | 9 | Ian Prior |
| Marty McKenzie | 10 | Sias Ebersohn |
| Tim Nanai-Williams | 11 | Nick Cummins |
| Sonny Bill Williams | 12 | Luke Burton |
| Charlie Ngatai | 13 | Kyle Godwin |
| Bryce Heem | 14 | Luke Morahan |
| Tom Marshall | 15 | Dane Haylett-Petty |
| Reserves | ||
| Quentin MacDonald | 16 | Heath Tessmann |
| Pauliasi Manu | 17 | Chris Heiberg |
| Ben Tameifuna | 18 | Oliver Hoskins |
| Michael Fitzgerald | 19 | Wilhelm Steenkamp |
| Liam Squire | 20 | Kane Koteka |
| Augustine Pulu | 21 | Ryan Louwrens |
| Damian McKenzie | 22 | Junior Rasolea |
| Andrew Horrell | 23 | Marcel Brache |
| Location: | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton | |
| Kickoff: | Fri 24 Apr 17:35 | |
| Referee: | Angus Gardner | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | Kane McBride | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | Mike Lash | |
| TMO : | Glenn Newman |
[/one_half]
