Star flyhalf Matt Giteau admits the Western Force are at the "crossroads" in their quest for a maiden Super 14 finals berth ahead of Saturday's crucial clash with the Sharks in Perth.

The Force, who have a bye next week, sit four points adrift of the top four and can't afford to slip-up against the third-placed Sharks.

"I suppose we are at the crossroads of our competition, for us," said Giteau.

"We need this win before we go into the bye.

"If you lose this game, then going into the bye you get that distance away from the top four.

"A win, and a good win, will keep us in touch with that."

The Force have made a raft of personnel and positional changes to the run-on side that drew with the Crusaders in Christchurch last week.

Wingers Cameron Shepherd (ankle) and Nick Cummins (hamstring) have been ruled out through injury, while forwards David Pusey and Richard Stanford were dropped to the bench.

Drew Mitchell, who has played the past three games at fullback, will revert to his customary role on the left wing, with James O'Connor named in the No.15 jersey for the first time at the Force.

"He's versatile, which is good, especially for his age," Giteau said of O'Connor.

"He's in a position where I was when I first started playing.

"I came into the side playing a little bit of halfback and five-eighth, and was moved to inside centre.

"I thought that was my position but now I'm really comfortable with flyhalf.

"I don't want to pigeon hole him in one position, it's up to him to decide where he wants to play."

O'Connor's move to fullback paves the way for Junior Pelesasa to return at inside centre, with Scott Staniforth, who underwent knee surgery during the off-season, named on the right wing for his first start of the campaign.

Lock Tom Hockings makes his return to the run-on side to partner skipper Nathan Sharpe in the second row, while Matt Hodgson returns at No.6.

The Sharks, who suffered a shock 25-13 loss to the Reds last week, have moved Francois Steyn from inside centre to flyhalf to cover for the loss of Ruan Pienaar (knee), while Riaan Swanepoel will wear the No.12 jersey in his first Super start.

Giteau, who will return to the Brumbies next season, said his Force teammates had accepted his decision to leave.

"A few of the boys are starting to talk to me now, so that's a positive," Giteau said with a laugh.

"There were a few jokes and things like that said about me going but I think that's a good thing, everyone feels quite comfortable about that and the side know I'm fully committed to playing my best football for the Force this season."

The Force will wear pink jerseys against the Sharks to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation of WA, while Giteau and Mitchell will also don pink boots to mark the event.

Force: James O'Connor, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Junior Pelesasa, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Tamaiti Horua, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Tom Hockings, Ben Castle, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan. Res: Luke Holmes, AJ Whalley, David Pusey, Richard Stanford, Chris O'Young, Josh Tatupu, Haig Sare

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Riaan Swanepoel, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Rory Kockott, Ryan Kankowski, Keegan Daniel, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller (captain), Steven Sykes, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit, Deon Carstens. Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Albert van den Berg, Justin Downey, Ross Cronje, Monty Dumond, Luzuko Vulindlu

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