Williams and IFL to start, debutant named for Chiefs clash

Wed, May 1, 2024, 11:57 AM
by Ben Somerford


Captain Jeremy Williams and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will return to the Western Force starting XV while Henry Robertson has earned his Club debut for Saturday’s away clash with the Chiefs.

The Force will take on the Chiefs from 3:05pm WST on Saturday at FMG Stadium Waikato in Round 11 of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Tom Franklin returns from head injury protocols alongside Williams in the second row, with lock Izack Rodda to start off the bench following two games back after injury.

Williams returned with a strong 25-minute display as a finisher last game against the Highlanders after missing three games.

Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter is unavailable due to a hamstring injury sustained last week against the Highlanders.

Wallabies scrum-half Fines-Leleiwasa also comes into the starting XV, with Nic White unavailable due to an aggravated knee.

Former Australia U-20s scrum-half Robertson comes into the team as a reserve. The 23-year-old has previously played six Super Rugby games for the NSW Waratahs, with Saturday’s game to mark his Force debut.

Josh Bartlett will make his maiden start, with Joondalup Brothers product Marley Pearce to start as a reserve.

The game marks the 50th Super Rugby appearances for hooker Tom Horton and back-rower Will Harris, who both debuted together for the NSW Waratahs in Round 1 of the 2020 season.

Kick-off on Saturday is 3:05pm WST, with the game streamed live on Stan Sport. There will be regular updates on @WesternForce social media channels.

Game details

Chiefs v Western Force

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

Saturday 4 May, 3:05pm WST

Live on Stan Sport

Force Team List

Starting XV: Josh Bartlett, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Tom Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale

Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Izack Rodda, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Henry O’Donnell

https://westernforce.rugby/news/forc...-rugby-2024430

Massive ask for the Force to roll the Chiefs at home.

It'll be just our luck after the tripe last week that they put in a once in a lifetime performance and lose by 2

Pity the Chiefs didn’t decide they needed to rest McKenzie. I can’t see miracles sadly

Maybe the Chiefs will underestimate us and rest some All Blacks.
Although they've only played 1 match after a bye week and don't have a hard game the week after to give a reason to rest players.

Just seen their line-up. No - that's pretty much the strongest 23 they have at the moment. They have one debut as the reserve tight-head, but he's still played a couple of years for Counties Manukau!

Congratulations to Horton and Harrison.
Just looking at Tom's minutes this season, pretty remarkable.

Horton- 590', av 66
Funnell- 73', av 15
Kaitu'u-57', av 14'

For reference, Tizzano has managed 667', for 74' (and needs another massive efforts this match!)

Donaldson and Stewart remain the only two to play every minute, at 720' and counting.

Delighted that Robertson is getting a trot too, must be getting sick of running the kicking tee...
Hopefully he gets a reasonable few minutes and not too big a warzone before he gets his chance.

Good of Carter to "solve" the Lock selection dilemma...
Hopefully not too serious, he is a great asset.

Ryan Coxon must still be under HI protocols. He's been a great addition for us but I thought the scrum went OK after Bartlett came on so he should be good to go. It's gonna be a massive task in Hamilton & I do wonder about the load Big Santi has been asked to carry, despite his obviously massive engine. He's my MVP for the season so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shasta

He's my MVP for the season so far.

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Good shout Shas. Horton for mine!

Gonna be a tough call to vote on this year
Horton
Medrano
Tizzano
Donaldson
Stewart

If it wasn't due to injury
Coxon
Franklin
Williams
Potter

Even with not originally starting
Kuenzle

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shasta

Ryan Coxon must still be under HI protocols. He's been a great addition for us but I thought the scrum went OK after Bartlett came on so he should be good to go. It's gonna be a massive task in Hamilton & I do wonder about the load Big Santi has been asked to carry, despite his obviously massive engine. He's my MVP for the season so far.

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Medrano- 489', Av 61'

Next closest Props (yes, both LH & TH)

Coxon- 402', Av 57'
Tauakipulu- 194', Av 22'
Pearce- 156', Av 39'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shasta

I thought the scrum went OK after Bartlett came on so he should be good to go.

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I reckon the return of Rodda and inclusion of Sam Carter have had a fair bit to do with our scrum going OK the last couple of weeks. So it will be interesting to see how the starting scrum goes this week without those 2 larger bodies behind the front row.