Rebels v Force 2024 Game 2

Williams returns to Force team for Super Round clash with Rebels

Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 11:00 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force will welcome back captain Jeremy Williams for Friday night’s Super Round game against the Melbourne Rebels as one of three changes to the team.

Newly appointed skipper Williams returns to lead the Force for the first time after missing Round 1 due to head injury protocols, in a welcome boost to the Force lock stocks, with Feleti Kaitu’u and Ryan Coxon also added to the 23-man team.

Marley Pearce (suspension), Titi Nofoagatotoa and Ben Funnell make way from the Round 1 side that lost to the Hurricanes.

Lock Williams and prop Coxon will both start, while hooker Kaitu’u is named among the reserves. Former Chiefs and Crusaders prop Coxon, 26, has joined the Force on an injury cover contract.

The game will be live on Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media, with kick-off from 5:10pm AWST.

View our Game Day Hub to find out what's happening.

Melbourne Rebels v Western Force

Friday 1 March, 5:10pm WST

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Live on Stan Sport

Western Force

1. Ryan Coxon
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Jeremy Williams
5. Thomas Franklin
6. Michael Wells
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Will Harris
9. Nic White
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Sam Spink
14. Harry Potter
15. Max Burey

16. Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Charlie Hancock
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Tim Anstee
20. Lopeti Faifua
21. Ollie Callan
22. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. George Poolman

Melbourne Rebels

1. Matt Gibbon
2. Alex Mafi
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Josh Canham
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Brad Wilkin
8. Rob Leota (c)
9. James Tuttle
10. Carter Gordon
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. David Feliuai
13. Matt Proctor
14. Lachie Anderson
15. Andrew Kellaway

16. Jordan Uelese
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Sam Talakai
19. Tuaina Taii Tualima
20. Vaiolini Ekuasi
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Jake Strachan
23. Nick Jooste

Ryan Coxon a surprise, Tasman Mako loosehead prop.

Williams back (Whew)

Feleti back on the bench

God I hope the get up in this one. It’s been all doom and gloom for the Force around the place this week ☹️

Well that's gotta be some silk purse action there.

With the list the Rebels have I can't say I'm confident that they'll compete at set piece time, but there's enough quality there to say we have a chance.

With that, and the fact that the Rebs have pretty shit ticker I think we're a solid chance.

Still hurting from the emasculation last year 😡

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GIGS20

With that, and the fact that the Rebs have pretty shit ticker I think we're a solid chance.

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Unfortunately, the Rebels tend to turn up for matches against us

What's going on with Atu Moli - not even in the 23 again, but surely should be ahead of Hancock?
Somewhat surprised we've brought Roxon in - thought we might have got Bo Abra back or given Rebolo a go. Our scrum is going to struggle in any case. I hope the team has been working non-stop on their set piece since last Friday.

Would've liked to see Burey and Donaldson swapping, Anstee over Wells and IFL over White, after last week's performances. Some more accountability for a very poor performance would be good.

REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway

RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste

That's a good looking team on paper. Going to be a tough ask when comparing to our list

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chiraag

What's going on with Atu Moli - not even in the 23 again, but surely should be ahead of Hancock?
Somewhat surprised we've brought Roxon in - thought we might have got Bo Abra back or given Rebolo a go.

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From what I've observed at training Moli is still struggling with fitness.
Bo Abra is no longer in WA and struggling to get a gig outside of club rugby. He's been on train and trial with the Tahs.
Rebolo is in full training with the Academy to regain match fitness after last season and playing for Brazil and in Spain.

Roxon appears to have come in as injury cover and has the right level of experience.
All he needs to do is scum and lift and line-outs - the rest will follow.

Drastic steps needed to cover for the loss of Hoopert, Wagner, Pearce and Amone.
Fantastic that the WF have been developing players such as Tauakipulu and Churchwood through the pre-season.
Academy Prop Angus Websdale has also been getting plente of involvement.

If our Forwards can hold near parity, then I think our Inside Backs just might be stronger.
Need a big match out of Stewart and Spink off the back of a solid White/IFL-Donaldson service.
Absolutely have to eliminate penalties in our own half though otherwise the Lineout/Rolling Maul will cruel us.

So early in the season & the "what if's" are already mounting up :S

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Burgs

If our Forwards can hold near parity, then I think our Inside Backs just might be stronger.
Need a big match out of Stewart and Spink off the back of a solid White/IFL-Donaldson service.
Absolutely have to eliminate penalties in our own half though otherwise the Lineout/Rolling Maul will cruel us.

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Personally, I can't wait for Uelese to take the field

that bloke is as soft as a lemonade sandwich

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GIGS20

Personally, I can't wait for Uelese to take the field

that bloke is as soft as a lemonade sandwich

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His historical selections do tend to exceed his capacity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andrewg

From what I've observed at training Moti is still struggling with fitness.
Bo Abra is no longer in WA and struggling to get a gig outside of club rugby. He's been on train and trial with the Tahs.
Rebolo is in full training with the Academy to regain match fitness after last season and playing for Brazil and in Spain.

Roxon appears to have come in as injury cover and has the right level of experience.
All he needs to do is scum and lift and line-outs - the rest will follow.

Drastic steps needed to cover for the loss of Hoopert, Wagner, Pearce and Amone.
Fantastic that the WF have been developing players such as Tauakipulu and Churchwood through the pre-season.
Academy Prop Angus Websdale has also been getting plente of involvement.

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If he’s come in from the Mako, Roxon will have been playing in the NPC with Feleti - if that’s the case then as good a choice as any for injury cover.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Burgs

If our Forwards can hold near parity, then I think our Inside Backs just might be stronger.
Need a big match out of Stewart and Spink off the back of a solid White/IFL-Donaldson service.
Absolutely have to eliminate penalties in our own half though otherwise the Lineout/Rolling Maul will cruel us.

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I think the set piece is going to be tough, Rebels pack has close to 50kg on the Force.