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Veteran lock Sam Wykes will return to the starting XV and is set to play his final match at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) when the Western Force tackles the ACT Brumbies on Friday (5 June).
The 27-year-old, who will play in the Japanese Top League in 2015/2016, returns to the starting second row, having already played 85 games across eight seasons with the Western Australian club.
Wykes will pack down behind Guy Millar, who earns his first opportunity in the run-on side, having played three matches off the bench this season.
The home side will also feature a fresh halves pairing, with Alby Mathewson back into the starting side, while Zack Holmes also returns to face the ACT side, where he made his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut in 2012.
Head Coach Michael Foley says the match will be a special occasion for Wykes and his teammates.
“As a team – players and staff – we’re very determined to finish our home season with a strong performance in front of our supporters ,” he said.
“Our ability to nail our attacking breakdowns against players that are highly active in that area will be key in seeing our attack convert opportunities to points.
“Friday night represents an opportunity for the team to farewell ‘Wykesy’. Wykesy has always given his all for his mates and our supporters. In most recent times, when asked to captain the team during difficult circumstances this season, he gave his all in accepting the responsibility. As someone who has immense respect for our supporters, the club and his teammates, Sam will be keen to rip in on Friday night, and I know the rest of the boys will be keen to do the same for him.”
Tickets are available for the Western Force’s final home match of the season against the ACT Brumbies at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Friday, 5 June. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.au.
2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 17
Western Force v ACT Brumbies
The ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium), Perth
Friday, 5 June 2015
Kick-off: 7pm
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Guy Millar
4. Sam Wykes
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Zack Holmes
11. Nick Cummins
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Marcel Brache
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Steve Mafi
20. Kane Koteka
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Luke Burton
23. Patrick Dellit
Pressure unavoidable for Brumbies: Moore
By Roje Adaimy
June 4, 2015, 11:26 am
Brumbies captain Stephen Moore admits the pressure to win Friday's Super Rugby clash with Western Force is unavoidable, given how much is at stake.
The Canberra-based outfit sit equal on points with the NSW Waratahs atop the Australian conference with just two rounds remaining.
A bonus-point victory in Perth will all but secure them a finals berth, but a loss could mean next week's match against the Crusaders at home is their last for 2015.
"We have to win to stay in the competition - there's no way to sugar coat that," Moore said.
"You can package it up however you like, but we need to win.
"The pressure's unavoidable in this circumstance."
The only way to relieve it was to focus on how to win and not the result itself, he said.
"We've tried to do that all year, talk about the process and what we need to do specifically in the game to play well," he said.
"And I think if we do that, the outcome will go our way. And if we don't, it won't."
The Brumbies have made just one change to the starting side that beat the Bulls last Friday in Canberra, with Blake Enever replacing an injured Sam Carter at No.5.
Carter's season is over - and possibly his Rugby World Cup hopes - after tearing a knee ligament at the weekend, ruling him out for up to 12 weeks.
Inside centre Matt Toomua remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Moore said any club that can name a similar team week-in week-out at this stage of the season was "lucky", because injuries were always a factor.
"That's why you ... prepare everyone physically and mentally as best you can, because at any one point someone's going to play a key role in the season and there's no greater example than Blake this week," he said.
"He probably didn't think he'll be playing, but he comes into the starting side and he's going to be a key player for us.
"We're very confident he can do a good job."
Another key player will be David Pocock, who together with Ita Vaea faces a tough challenge at the breakdown against former Force teammate Matt Hodgson and an in-form Ben McCalman.
"I know the battle will have an impact on how the game goes, no doubt," Moore said of the Pocock v Hodgson match-up.
"Both are very important for each team; Hodgo's been playing really well, so has Dave."
The cellar-dwelling Force are hoping for a repeat of their last-round win over the Brumbies in 2013, denying their opponents second-place overall in the process.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...rumbies-moore/