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The Western Force have made two changes to their run on side for the clash with last year’s champions the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 1 April.
Wallaby Ben McCalman comes back into the fold at No. 8 and Luke Morahan returns to the right wing, after missing the first two games of the New Zealand tour with a foot injury.
Head Coach Michael Foley says a full ground defensive effort is needed against the current Asteron Life Super Rugby champions.
“The Highlanders play tough, smart rugby. Last week, they had one line break, but scored 4 tries, which is an indicator of how they vary their attack with ball in hand and kicking,” he said. “The key for us is to consistently apply pressure across 80 minutes.”
“We asked good questions in the first half last week and created some good scoring opportunities, but we need to ensure we put ourselves in a position to keep attacking for the full game.”
An unchanged front row will look to carry momentum from a strong set piece performance last week when they lock horns with a powerful Highlanders front row.
Ross Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman will again partner in the second row, after strong performances from both men.
While Ben McCalman comes back in to the backrow alongside skipper Matt Hodgson and Angus Cottrell will start at blindside flanker.
Alby Mathewson will start at scrumhalf after one of his strongest performances of the year last weekend and veteran Peter Grant will martial the troops at flyhalf.
Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea will again start at inside centre and Ben Tapuai will look to continue his good form in the number 13 jersey.
Electrifying winger Luke Morahan races back into the team and will be keen to pick up where he left off against the Brumbies. Semisi Masirewa will man the left wing after a strong match and Dane Haylett-Petty rounds out the starting XV.
Big man Steve Mafi will look to bring some energy from the bench, while Future Force product Richard Hardwick is set to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut.
Ryan Louwrens will again come off the bench and hope to play his second match of the season. Ian Prior was strong off the bench last week and will look to do the same again, while Albert Nikoro will want to spark the attack if given the opportunity.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week Six
Highlanders v Western Force
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Friday, 1 April 2016
Kick-off: 2:35PM AWST (Fox Sports)
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Ross Haylett-Petty
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (C)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Peter Grant
11. Semisi Masirewa
12. Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi
20. Richard Hardwick
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Ian Prior
23. Albert Nikoro
Match Highlanders v Force @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Date Friday 1 April 2016 Kick-Off 19:35 local Referee Brendon Pickerill AR1 Nick Briant AR2 Paul Williams TMO Chris Wratt
No point complaining, because we've earned it but who the hell is brendon pickerill?
C'mon the![]()
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Another new ref. We had Paul Williams for the Hurricanes, and I think this is his first year in charge. We've then had him as assistant for the Chiefs and now for the Highlanders. From what I can tell, Chris Wratt is fairly new, too.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
And IIRC Nick Briant is the tosser who destroyed the Brumbies game isn't he?
or was that Marius something?
I have bad memories of Nick Briant, however they might be that he called a fair game and we just plain sucked!
C'mon the![]()
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FORCE SIDE NAMED FOR CLASH WITH IN-FORM HIGHLANDERS
The Western Force have made two changes to their run on side for the clash with last year’s champions the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 1 April.
Wallaby Ben McCalman comes back into the fold at No. 8 and Luke Morahan returns to the right wing, after missing the first two games of the New Zealand tour with a foot injury.
Head Coach Michael Foley says a full ground defensive effort is needed against the current Asteron Life Super Rugby champions.
“The Highlanders play tough, smart rugby. Last week, they had one line break, but scored 4 tries, which is an indicator of how they vary their attack with ball in hand and kicking,” he said. “The key for us is to consistently apply pressure across 80 minutes.”
“We asked good questions in the first half last week and created some good scoring opportunities, but we need to ensure we put ourselves in a position to keep attacking for the full game.”
An unchanged front row will look to carry momentum from a strong set piece performance last week when they lock horns with a powerful Highlanders front row.
Ross Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman will again partner in the second row, after strong performances from both men.
While Ben McCalman comes back in to the backrow alongside skipper Matt Hodgson and Angus Cottrell will start at blindside flanker.
Alby Mathewson will start at scrumhalf after one of his strongest performances of the year last weekend and veteran Peter Grant will martial the troops at flyhalf.
Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea will again start at inside centre and Ben Tapuai will look to continue his good form in the number 13 jersey.
Electrifying winger Luke Morahan races back into the team and will be keen to pick up where he left off against the Brumbies. Semisi Masirewa will man the left wing after a strong match and Dane Haylett-Petty rounds out the starting XV.
Big man Steve Mafi will look to bring some energy from the bench, while Future Force product Richard Hardwick is set to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut.
Ryan Louwrens will again come off the bench and hope to play his second match of the season. Ian Prior was strong off the bench last week and will look to do the same again, while Albert Nikoro will want to spark the attack if given the opportunity.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week Six
Highlanders v Western Force
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Friday, 1 April 2016
Kick-off: 2:35PM AWST (Fox Sports)
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Ross Haylett-Petty
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (C)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Peter Grant
11. Semisi Masirewa
12. Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi
20. Richard Hardwick
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Ian Prior
23. Albert Nikoro
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
What's happened to Kane Koteka? I thought he was looking promising last year but hasn't been seen yet this year. Is he injured or just out of favour?
Every time I look at the Force team on paper, they always look quite formidable. I wish they would play better. Bring on the upset this week!!!
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
We really look amateur with two scrum halfs on the bench. I know Burton, Godwin and Lance are all injured. Is there not a young fly half in the wider training group we could give a baptism of fire. We knew about the injuries so could of taken them to NZ. Speaking of which, why is Louwrens out of favour? He was brilliant last year.
Deciding if I try an avoid the result while at work and watch a replay when I get home.
Cmon the Force!
Good to see morahan back. Seems the only player in the backline that can score tries, even though he can't tackle.
Just want to see the boys put in a good performance across 80 minutes and give the highlanders a game. Force by 3![]()
Non sunt multiplicanda entia sine necessitate
HIGHLANDERS v FORCE
Fair play to the Force. They try very hard and can be quite a decent foe for 40 minutes. But it all goes to pack after that and, after seeing the Hurricanes and Chiefs put plenty of second-half points on them in the last fortnight, there's limited appeal in watching the Highlanders do similar.
That's not a slight on the Highlanders. Far from it, they are an impressive side playing admirable rugby. With or without the ball they pose teams problems and it would be terrific if they enjoyed a good playoff run again this year.
But I'm a bit Force-d out.
Pretty much says it all.
For those who are not 100% sure this game will be replayed on Fox Sports 2 at 7:30pm.
Yeah i must say my confidence is not glowing for this game. I still think that Alby ,as decennt a game as he had last week, is not quick enough any more and some of the other players just don't have the nous to fall into half back when he is struggling to get to the breakdown on time hence Dixon and Prior will give us some real headaches. Come on Boys prove me wrong and make me eat humble pie.
Hardwick is a better option for bench coverage of the Back Row.
Koteka excellent coverage as a starting OSF.