MA’AFU, McCALMAN, GODWIN RETURN FOR FORCE

[tdevil]

Prop Salesi Ma'afu, back-rower Ben McCalman and inside centre Kyle Godwin will resume their places in the starting XV when the Emirates Western Force takes on the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

Ma'afu (knee) and McCalman (head knock) have been named after being sidelined for last weekend's fixture against the Hurricanes through injury, while Godwin returns following a planned rest having started in the Force's opening nine matches of the season.

Ma'afu, who played 52 matches for the Brumbies between 2007 and 2011, will pack down in the Western Australian front row alongside fellow Wallaby prop Pek Cowan and hooker Heath Tessmann, while McCalman will renew his back row trinity with captain Matt Hodgson and bruising No.8 Richard Brown.

Godwin will team up in the midfield with former Australian Sevens representative, Junior Rasolea, with the pair having last started alongside each other in the Force's win over the Crusaders a fortnight ago.

The inclusion of centre Winston Stanley is the only change to the Emirates Western Force bench. Stanley replaces winger Alfie Mafi, who was not considered for selection following a breach of team standards.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is excited about the challenge that awaits them on Saturday night.

“We're a side that has shown considerable character throughout the season and the last three weeks of preparation have shown the players' desire to keep finding small improvements in the standards they've set themselves,” he said. “These are important steps in becoming the team we want to become.

“We have great respect for the Brumbies and we recognise the challenge of playing the leading side in the competition.”



2013 Super Rugby – Week 11
Emirates Western Force v Brumbies
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Kick-off: 7.40pm (local)/5.40pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Salesi Ma'afu
4. Toby Lynn
5. Sam Wykes
6. Ben McCalman
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Richard Brown
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Sam Norton-Knight
11. Ed Stubbs
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Junior Rasolea
14. Patrick Dellit
15. Jayden Hayward

Reserves
16. James Hilterbrand
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Rory Walton
19. Chris Alcock
20. Mick Snowden
21. Sias Ebersohn
22. Winston Stanley

[oxleymoron]

No Mafi due to breach of team standards??????

[DinkyDi]

Like the line up but agree - where is Alfie???

[AndyS]

No Mafi due to breach of team standards??????

Props to them for sticking to them with a key player in a big match.

[Flying 14]

What has Alfie done? Which team standard has he broken?
Posted via Mobile Device

[The InnFORCEr]

Nothing more can be confirmed from Captains Run
Posted via Mobile Device

[jargan83]

*insert standard media line*

[jono]

"Didn't get picked" was what i heard

[jargan83]

"Didn't get picked" was what i heard

As did I

[Tazzmania]

Something is amiss here, talking to Foley at the Family day, a while back now, he saw Alfie as our most important strike weapon, however, he has been subbed a few times and benched and now not picked.

I really like Alfie and so do the Force supporters especially the kids, he seemed to have a little kids club gathering around him after the Crusaders match.

He has worked hard to get to where he is, especially now that he is on the Wallaby radar although only a small blip on the horizon.

Please Alfie, if something is going wrong get it together you have so much to offer and we all respect they way you play and what you have given us over the years for the Force, even as far being one of the few Force players giving time and playing club rugby for Perth Bayswater some years back.

[valzc]

Still no Badger?

[The InnFORCEr]

Word from yesterday is that he should be right for next week, as is shets.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jono]

Still no Badger?

His ankle must still be sore
Posted via Mobile Device

[palitu]

Something is amiss here, talking to Foley at the Family day, a while back now, he saw Alfie as our most important strike weapon, however, he has been subbed a few times and benched and now not picked.

I really like Alfie and so do the Force supporters especially the kids, he seemed to have a little kids club gathering around him after the Crusaders match.

He has worked hard to get to where he is, especially now that he is on the Wallaby radar although only a small blip on the horizon.

Please Alfie, if something is going wrong get it together you have so much to offer and we all respect they way you play and what you have given us over the years for the Force, even as far being one of the few Force players giving time and playing club rugby for Perth Bayswater some years back.

unless foles is looking to the future, knowing that alphonso is on the move to other pastures??

[sandgroperrugby]

Word from yesterday is that he should be right for next week, as is shets.
Posted via Mobile Device

Having shets back is really good news, we are a bit exposed at 9 at the moment. If albie went down mick snowden would have to be chucked into the deep end.