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Force injury curse strikes Prior and Burton
Nick Taylor - The West Australian on May 26, 2016, 12:01 am
The No.10 injury curse has struck Western Force a double blow, losing another two playmakers ahead of Sunday’s Super Rugby clash with the Rebels in Melbourne.
Scrum-half and makeshift fly-half Ian Prior damaged a knee in last Saturday’s loss to the Blues and reserve No.10 Luke Burton re-injured the left foot that had kept him out since pre-season.
The Force are already without Jono Lance, out since injuring a shoulder in round three, and have used 26 fly-halves in the troublesome position since their 2006 Super Rugby debut.
Former Springbok Peter Grant is the only fit fly-half and centre Kyle Godwin, who has not started at No.10 since playing for the Junior Wallabies in 2012, is likely to be his back-up.
The Force also lost captain Matt Hodgson for the season after he dislocated his left shoulder last Saturday night.
Prop Pek Cowan will lead the side in his absence.
Chris Alcock, who has not played since damaging a posterior cruciate ligament in round one, is expected to replace Hodgson as openside flanker.
Former New Zealand scrum-half Alby Mathewson, who plays his 50th Force match on Sunday, said players had to step up to fill the void left by Hodgson, who he said led by example.
“That is probably where we are going to miss him the most. The best way to lead is by your actions and that’s Hodgo to a tee,” Mathewson said.
Mathewson, who hopes to extend his marquee player deal past this season, said ongoing talks with the Australian Rugby Union on the imminent Force alliance were unsettling players coming off contract.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver spoke to players and staff on Monday and RUPA, the players’ representative body, addressed the team on Tuesday.
“There is uncertainty around a lot of players,” Mathewson said. “Hopefully in the next week or so there’s more clarity.”
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...or-and-burton/
I like Alby a lot and he's done great things for the Force. But.. I think it's time for him to step aside for the young blokes coming through.
Last year and this he seems a lot less the fast, hard, niggley 9 that we need.
"Chris Alcock, who has not played since damaging a posterior cruciate ligament in round one, is expected to replace Hodgson as openside flanker"
Why no Koteka - I hear he's having a great season in local comp.....?????
I hate Victoria.
Force by 5.
This is a great chance for Force to get some revenge-about time for retribution and make El Capitaine proud.
I hate the rebels Force by anything
It was unacceptable to lose to them the first time and my attitude hasn't changed even though we've lost the heart of the team in Hodgo.
I don't care what it takes, we need to smash those Victards.
C'mon the![]()
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Cowan to Lead Force Into Battle with Rebels
By Fraser Smith on Fri 27th May 16
The Western Force have made four changes to the match-day 23 to face the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon with club stalwart Pek Cowan to captain the side in the absence of Matt Hodgson.
Replacing the injured Hodgson is Chris Alcock who slots straight back into the starting XV having recovered from a knee injury suffered against the Rebels back in Round One. In the other changes to the side Peter Grant returns to wear the No.10 jersey while Heath Tessmann and Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea will both look to make an impact off the bench.
Western Force Head Coach, Michael Foley said the team is looking forward to the challenge the Rebels pose and he will look to his leaders to step up and fill the void left by Hodgson.
“‘Hodgo’ is obviously a loss in terms of his play and leadership and while Pek (Cowan) will assume the captaincy, every player understands the need to step up,” he said. “Pek has been around from day one and with Alby, was asked to lead the team in Matt’s absence in the pre-season.
“Clashes with the Rebels are always tight and we expect nothing different this weekend. Last week we controlled possession and position for large portions of the game and while I felt we were a little unlucky to not be rewarded, we've remained focused on areas we can control.”
In the front row, Cowan will captain the side for the fourth time in his career as he makes his first start since returning from a broken arm, Harry Scoble again gets the nod at hooker with Guy Millar to pack down at tighthead.
In the second row Ross Haylett-Petty will continue to build his solid partnership with Adam Coleman and Coleman will be looking to perform strongly and impress national coach Michael Cheika after being named in the Wallabies squad for the June Test Series yesterday.
In the backrow Brynard Stander starts at blindside with Alcock at openside while Ben McCalman completes the starting pack at No.8.
In the halves, Peter Grant returns at flyhalf and can expect quality service from Alby Mathewson this week when the veteran scrumhalf runs out for his 50th appearance in the Western Force jersey.
In the midfield, Kyle Godwin and Ben Tapuai will look to straighten the attack and take on the defence after showing some good chemistry in last week’s clash with the Blues.
The ever consistent back three of Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan and Dane Haylett-Petty at full back round out the starting side.
Coming off the bench, Heath Tessman will be keen to make his presence known in his return from a groin strain while the Force will look to get plenty of production from the likes of Angus Cottrell, Solomoni Rasolea and Semisi Masirewa when called upon.
1 Pek Cowan (C)
2 Harry Scoble
3 Guy Millar
4 Ross Haylett-Petty
5 Adam Coleman
6 Brynard Stander
7 Chris Alcock
8 Ben McCalman
9 Alby Mathewson
10 Peter Grant
11 Luke Morahan
12 Kyle Godwin
13 Ben Tapuai
14 Marcel Brache
15 Dane Haylett-Petty
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Francois Van Wyk
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Rory Walton
20. Angus Cottrell
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Solomoni Rasolea
23. Semisi Masirewa
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 14
Western Force vs Melbourne Rebels
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Sunday, 29 May 2016
Kick-off: 2:05PM AWST
- See more at: https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti....pijkzxRs.dpuf
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
And the ref is: ? Another one on L plates with a white stick bringing some knitting to do?
Nope
Match No.108: Rebels v Force
Date : Sunday 29 May 2016
Venue : AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick Off local: 16:05 local
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Andrew Lees
Assistant Ref 2:Michael Hogan
TMO :George Ayoub
Read more: http://www.superxv.com/rebels-v-forc...#ixzz49qrU19On
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
I'd rather slag the ref than the players!
May the FORCE be with you!