Super Rugby
Sam Cane back for the Chiefs
March 21, 2014
Sam Cane is helped off the field after suffering a knee injury, Super Rugby trial, Chiefs v Blues, Rotorua, New Zealand, Friday 14, February
Sam Cane returns to the Chiefs' line-up after suffering injury during the pre-season, © Getty Images
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Sam Cane will make his first Super Rugby start of the season after recovering from a back injury to face Western Force.

The Chiefs' No.7 replaces Tanerau Latimer in the line-up to face the Force in Perth on Saturday, with lock Michael Fitzgerald also added to the pack for the defending champions.

Coach Dave Rennie has also shuffled his backline, with wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma restored to the starting side after dropping to the bench for the defeat of the Stormers last week. Tim Nanai-Williams shifts to centre, while former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina return to the line-up on the right 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-captain), Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (co-captain); Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald; Ben Tameifuna, Mahroni Schwalger, Jamie Mackintosh. Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu, Josh Hohneck, Kane Thompson, Tanerau Latimer, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Greg Growden previews Super Rugby round six
© AAP

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