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The Western Force is set to have five players wearing Force blue for the very first time in the 23-man squad to take on the Melbourne Rebels at the Force Field (nib Stadium) on Saturday, 27 February.
Former Queensland Reds teammates Jono Lance and Ben Tapuai will both be in the starting XV, while Jermaine Ainsley, Peter Grant and Semisi Masirewa are all set to come off the bench.
Head Coach Michael Foley says he has full confidence in the abilities of all five debutants and looks forward to seeing them in blue for the first time.
“It’s an exciting time for those five players,” he said. “They’ve all worked hard to earn their places in the match squad for Saturday.”
“Round one is a great opportunity for every player in the team to put what we’ve practiced into action. From the beginning of our preparation, every player & staff member has committed to bravely chase the standards & style game of game we believe will bring us success and we’re all looking forward to our first step.
Matt Hodgson will lead the team for the fourth year in a row and pack down in the seven jersey alongside Brynard Stander who will be at blindside flanker and Angus Cottrell will start at No. 8 in the absence of Ben McCalman.
The front row will boast veteran Pek Cowan at loosehead, alongside hooker Nathan Charles, and young gun Guy Millar will start at tighthead for just the second time in his career.
The familiar pairing of Steve Mafi and Adam Coleman, will start in the second row and look to dominate at set piece.
In the backline, Jono Lance will start at flyhalf for the first time for the Force, with Alby Mathewson on his inside. Kyle Godwin will start at 12, with Ben Tapuai debuting in the number 13 jersey in front of the Sea of Blue. While Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan and Dane Haylett-Petty will form the back three.
On the bench, Nedlands’ Jermaine Ainsley is in line to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut, along with former Stormers and Springboks flyhalf Peter Grant and New Zealand speedster Semisi Masirewa.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week One
Western Force v Melbourne Rebels
Force Field (nib Stadium), Perth
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Kick-off: 6.50pm (local)
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Guy Millar
4. Steve Mafi
5. Adam Coleman
6. Brynard Stander
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Angus Cottrell
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Jono Lance**
11. Marcel Brache
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Ben Tapuai**
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley**
19. Ross Haylett-Petty
20. Chris Alcock
21. Ian Prior
22. Peter Grant**
23. Semisi Masirewa**
** denotes Western Force/Super Rugby debut - See more at: https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti....608c9faj.dpuf
Cannot wait for kick off, looks like a well balanced side.
Cannot wait to see Taps and Semisi in action, I think they will be worth the admission price on their own, with the rest of the lads providing the usual heart and grunt to balance the team.
This is it kick off to 2016.![]()
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Can't wait! Feel like a 16 year old on date! Nervous and excited at the same time.
May the FORCE be with you!
Melbourne Rebels Team
1 Toby Smith
2 James Hanson
3 Laurie Weeks
4 Luke Jones
5 Lopeti Timani
6 Jordy Reid
7 Sean McMahon (captain)
8 Adam Thomson
9 Ben Meehan
10 Jack Debreczeni
11 Reece Hodge
12 Mitch Inman
13 Tamati Ellison
14 Dom Shipperley
15 Mike Harris
Reserves
16 Pat Leafa
17 Cruze Ah Nau
18 Jamie Hagan
19 Steve Cummins
20 Colby Fainga’a
21 Mick Snowden
22 Jonah Placid
23 Tom English
SR Caps - Starting XXXIII - Force Av 53: Rebs Av 52
Test Players - Force 8: Rebs 9
Pack Weights: Force 876kg: Rebs 880kg
Rep Front Row: Force 330kg: Rebs 350kg
Should be a cracker of a game to kick-off the season.
Last edited by andrewg; 25-02-16 at 16:49.
Rumour has it that Guy Millar is Wallaby material
Also a very unlucky Heat Tessmann not to have the starting role it was a close decision I think
Hodgo won't play a full game if it all goes according to plan
Jono getting a start is very exciting but I think Grant will have a big impact when/if he gets on
Great to see Kyle back at 12 I hope he can shake of his dodgy 2015 performances and play as he did in 2014
Very exciting outside backs that can attach and defend and are not afraid of a high ball
I must admit I am a tad excited with a bit of hope for a win
Match Force v Rebels @ nib Stadium, Perth
Date Saturday 27 February 2016
Kick-Off 18:55 local
Referee Marius van der Westhuizen
AR1 Quinton Immelman
AR2 Graham Cooper
TMO Damien Mitchelmore
Anyone listening to 6pr this morning when Kim Hagdorn mentioned the Force.
"The Force new recruits Peter Grant from South Africa and Queenslanders Jono Lance and Ben Tapuai who should bolster the forwards. The Force struggled in the forwards last year but were strong in the backs"
*facepalm*
The forwards are the ones who kick all the goals right?
C'mon the![]()
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Rebs will miss stirzaker. They're a couple of weeks behind the force in their preparation for the season and they will die in the heat in the last quarter. Force by 17.
Non sunt multiplicanda entia sine necessitate