Western Force coach Simon Cron believes the side can front-up to the powerful Hurricanes in Friday's Round 5 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific clash at McLean Park, Napier.
He compared the difference and improvement in the squad from two years ago when they went down by 30 points to the Kiwi side.
The Hurricanes piled 59 points on the Waratahs in the last round in Sydney, but Cron told reporters at the CD Dodd Coaches’ Conference on Wednesday: "A couple of years ago I remember playing them and thinking we were going to be in a bit of trouble.
"Now, with the guys we have on that field, we can front up pretty well like we did last year (in a 17-17 draw) in the forward pack, and then it's about the backs being able to execute their jobs.
"I think we've got the group on the field to do that."
With a six-day turnaround Cron has made five changes to the starting side with utility back Taj Annan set to make his debut from the reserves in the last match of the three-game New Zealand tour, kicking-off at 2:05pm WST and live on Stan Sport.
Among the changes are experienced international centre duo of Kurtley Beale and George Bridge.
Beale came off the bench in the last round loss to the Highlanders and Bridge moves back to the midfield from the wing.
Cron said the side "sparked" in the last 20 minutes of the previous game when Beale was introduced.
"KB's got a great voice and knows how to manage a game," he said.
"He can handle the front line. He's been in big moments all his life."
He said both Beale and Bridge were both good game managers.
"The game has changed. It's no longer one person who's in charge of running the game management," he said.
"It's too fast, there's too much happening. It has to be a team thing. It has to be the midfielders involved in making decisions."
In other moves Henry Robertson starts at scrum-half, Bayley Kuenzle is on the left wing, Max Burey at full-back and Will Harris blindside flanker.
With No.8 Vaiolini Ekuasi injured Nick Champion de Crespigny shifts from the side to the back of the scrum.
Annan, 22, joined the Force’s wider training squad in pre-season after spending time with the Queensland Reds and the Australia’s U20s set-up and a stint with the Newcastle Knights.
Cron said he deserved his chance.
"Taj is quite a big body, 103-104kgs, really good left foot, great pass, communicates well," he said.
"We all agreed he needs to get some game time, and this game was the one for him to have a crack at."
Cron said Monday's news of Zac Lomax's signing came "hot and heavy" and revealed he is unlikely to start in the next Force game against the Chiefs at HBF Park in a fortnight after the bye.
"That might be a push," he said.
While Lomax had been keeping fit, Cron said he did not want to put him at risk and he would need time to adjust from rugby league.
"It's going to be more of high-speed metres and exposure and seeing how his body is," Cron said.
"I don't think we can push it. It has to be a day-by-day, week by week thing. I don't want to throw him out there in a position where he's not quite ready.
"We've got to get it right. Get him comfortable with the game. It will be a case of how quickly we can coach and what he picks up."
Cron said wing would be a natural position for him and possibly full-back if he can cover the back field.
"He has amazing talent under the high ball he's got speed he's got a great kick he's powerful," Cron said.
Cron was impressed with Lomax's professionalism and drive.
"He was crystal clear, he wanted to play rugby, and how important it was for him,” he said.
"You can see the passion when he talks."
Western Force starting side: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 5 Darcy Swain, 6 Will Harris, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc), 9 Henry Robertson, 10 Ben Donaldson (vc), 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Kurtley Beale, 13 George Bridge, 14 Darby Lancaster, 15 Max Burey.
Reserves: Reserves; 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Lopeti Faifua, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Taj Annan, 23 Hamish Stewart.
Hurricanes starting side: 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 Jacob Devery, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 4 Caleb Delany, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6 Brad Shields, 7 Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), 8 Devan Flanders, 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Callum Harkin, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-c), 13 Jone Rova, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 15 Josh Moorby.
Reserves: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Riley Higgins.
Game details
Hurricanes vs Western Force
McLean Park, Napier
Live on Stan Sport
2:05pm WST kick-off
