Sunwolves coach Filo Tiatia has once again been forced to make numerous changes to his starting XV ahead of this weekend's Super Rugby game against the Cheetahs at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

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The former All Black named his side Thursday and it shows seven changes and one positional switch from the side that ran out last week against the Sharks in Singapore.

"We have Yusuke Niwai, Koki Yamamoto and Derek Carpenter coming back from reconditioning and Kotaro Yatabe rejoins the squad," Tiatia said.

Niwai replaces Shota Horie at hooker after the veteran was forced off the field early in the 38-17 loss to the team from Durban, South Africa.

Horie joins the influential Willie Britz and co-captain Ed Quirk on the sidelines as the Sunwolves continue to struggle with injuries to key players.

Niwai packs down between Keita Inagaki and Takuma Asahara, who is promoted from the bench.

Sam Wykes is joined by Yatabe in the second row, while Shuhei Matsuhashi is the only remaining member of the back row from last week. The openside flanker lines up alongside Malgene Ilaua and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco in a mobile yet inexperienced third line.

There is some stability at halfback with Fumiaki Tanaka and Yu Tamura keeping their places as does captain Harumichi Tatekawa at inside center.

Carpenter is handed the No. 13 jersey, Shota Emi moves from the right wing to the left to allow for the return of Takaaki Nakazuru and Kotaro Matsushima keeps his place at fullback.

Yamamoto is joined on the bench by fellow front-rowers Takeshi Hino and Yasuo Yamaji, lock Hitoshi Ono and flanker Shokei Kin. Keisuke Uchida, Jumpei Ogura and William Tupou provide the cover for the backs.

"We know what to expect for the game," said Tiatia, whose side lost 38-31 to the Cheetahs on March 11 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

"They are going to maul, they've got a good set piece, and they are going to take us on up front."

Tatekawa, meanwhile, said the team had been working hard on rectifying the mistakes that have seen them lose games "that we should have won."

"We want to play our brand of rugby and hopefully it won't be close like the last time we played them."