Chiefs aim to put things right

The Chiefs have earned the right to rest 11 of last week’s starters for their final match on the road.

With top spot secure for the playoffs before this weekend’s final round of Super Rugby Pacific, after last Saturday’s impressive 31-21 success over the Brumbies in Canberra, the Chiefs have the luxury of giving nearly all of their stars a week off before hosting a quarterfinal.

That might be good news for the Western Force, who host the leaders in Perth tonight when they are likely to need a win to sneak into the quarterfinals, but could be bad news for the other sides hoping to claim the final two playoff places in the top eight, such as the Highlanders.

Resting players has been a controversial topic throughout the season – mostly because of the All Blacks’ protocols which limit the minutes of the game’s top players.

But the Chiefs have their eyes on a big prize – their first title since 2013 – and coach Clayton McMillan said they started planning for next weekend’s Hamilton quarterfinal as soon as they sealed top spot, with hosting rights also guaranteed if they reach the semifinal and the final.

‘‘We have played big games over the last couple of weeks and that’s certainly taken a physical toll. We have earned the luxury of having a choice here,’’ McMillan said.

‘‘A lot of our guys who’ve been regular starters have travelled to Perth with us to help the team prepare and get some head start for next week.’’

From last week’s starting XV, Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Josh Ioane, Brad Weber, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Aidan Ross have all dropped out, with only Sowakula on the bench.

Ioane is the only player from that 11 who hasn’t featured much this season because of injury, but the onetest playmaker could have a big role to play after Bryn Gatland’s seasonending bicep injury.

Rameka Poihipi, who has shone in midfield, will start at first five

eighth instead – for the first time since his First XV days at Hamilton Boys’ High School.

‘‘He played his whole school career at 10.

‘‘We realise that’s a long time ago, but this is one of those ‘what if’ situations we wanted to explore,’’ McMillan said.

Other changes mean opportunities for fringe players such as Liam Coombes-Fabling on their right wing, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is poised for his 50th Chiefs appearance at halfback, Simon Parker starts at openside flanker and playmaker Rivez Reihana makes the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

McMillan revealed former Chiefs outside back Chase Tiatia, who starts for the Force at fullback, had sent a message ‘‘hoping we would send our under-20s’’.

McMillan stressed they still wanted to win and especially after their shock defeat to the Reds in New Plymouth three weeks ago – their only loss in 2023 when they last made mass changes. ‘‘It’s an opportunity to right a few wrongs.’’