“It wasn’t in the plan or anything with my vision, but I know the responsibility and the legacy that comes with it and I’m pretty excited, to be honest,” Lio-Willie said.
“It hasn’t really hit me fully yet, but I know I’ve got my job at hand, and I’ve got to lead myself first before I lead others.
“I’ve had great examples first-hand with Davey and the way he leads. That’s the standard I strive to.”
The Crusaders welcome back winger Macca Springer from a quad injury, while they have confirmed Will Jordan will miss three to five weeks with a calf injury.
Meanwhile, Zac Lomax will make his first Super Rugby start after being named on the right wing.
Lomax came off the bench last week for his debut in a defeat to the Drua.
The Crusaders have won seven of their past eight Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Force. That one defeat came in their last meeting in Perth in 2024.