Western Force coach John Mitchell admits recalling the injury-plagued Lachlan MacKay for just his fourth Super 14 match in three seasons to face the Crusaders in Perth on Sunday is a gamble.

The 25-year-old was a shock inclusion in the Force midfield announced yesterday, after winger Nick Cummins was forced out with a shoulder injury. Halfback Chris O'Young was also drafted for his first start since returning to Perth to replace the disgraced Matt Henjak.

"Lachie is coming back from a long rehabilitation, and there comes a time when we have got to know as a group what he can offer, and he has got to know himself," Mitchell said. "He is a very experienced footballer, even though he has been out of football - and I am always prepared to take a risk and do what is best for the team."

MacKay's Force career has been beset by injuries, with hamstring and knee problems taking him from a Wallabies debut against New Zealand in 2005 to a near permanent fixture in the Force treatment room.

The former Waratah just wants to contribute. "It feels like an age, but the boys have been great," MacKay said. "One, I want to get through the game - but once you are out there, you don't just want to survive, you want to make an impression."

O'Young's inclusion comes after he was flown to South Africa following Henjak's sacking but then failed to even make the bench for the wins against the Lions and Cheetahs.

"You have to get started sometime, no use worrying about it," Mitchell said. "He's part of the squad, he's returned as a Force man, and that's pretty exciting for him. I'm sure he'll be a little bit rusty at times, but he'll be fine."

Mitchell has shuffled his pack again, dropping Scott Fava from the squad, ignoring David Pusey in favour of young lock Tom Hockings and recalling prop A.J. Whalley.

In a huge boost for the Crusaders, skipper Richie McCaw was declared fit to play despite a precautionary early departure from training yesterday.

Winger Scott Hamilton and props Greg Somerville and Ben Franks return to the starting line-up, with coach Robbie Deans wary of the Force side despite never having lost to them in Super 14 or trial games.

"They raise the bar when they are asked to, and this is especially the case when they are playing at home," Deans said. "We have already achieved something on this trip - in terms of coming through South Africa unbeaten. And Sunday provides us with the chance to do something we have never done before - by winning a game in Perth."

The team's other superstar, five-eighth Dan Carter, admitted the Crusaders were relieved to draw 23-23 with the Force in their first visit to Perth two years ago, when an apparently legitimate late try to the Force's Haig Sare was disallowed. "We were lucky. We should have lost that game," said Carter, whose confrontation with opposite number Matt Giteau is one of the main reasons the Force are expecting a crowd of over 30,000.

"Matt is such a natural footballer he can play in any position," Carter said. "He also reads the game well and backs his instinct because he has the skills to carry out what he wants to do."

The teams

Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Lachlan Mackay, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Chris O'Young, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Tamaiti Horua, Nathan Sharpe, Tom Hockings, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Gareth Hardy. Res: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari, Sam Wykes, Matt Hodgson, James Stannard, Scott Daruda, Josh Tatupu.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Scott Hamilton, Casey Laulala, Stephen Brett, Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Res: Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Reuben Thorne, Nasi Manu, Kahn Fotuali'i, Tim Bateman, Sean Maitland.