MCMENIMAN SET TO RETURN AS FORCE TACKLES PAMPAS XV & SAMOA A

[The InnFORCEr]

WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 12 February 2014


Western Force forward Hugh McMeniman is set to return from a shoulder injury this Friday (14 February) in the club’s final Super Rugby trials against the Pampas XV and Samoa A at ‘The Force Field’ (nib Stadium).

McMeniman, who underwent shoulder surgery during 2013, is set to start at lock during the Force A match against Samoa A, with the Western Force to tackle Argentina’s Pampas XV in the main game.

The Western Force starting XV is set to feature five of the squad’s new recruits, including home-grown Perth products Ollie Hoskins and Zack Holmes, former Emerging Springbok lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, former Western Province outside back Marcel Brache and ex-Queensland Reds and Wallabies flyer Luke Morahan, who scored a double in last week’s trial win over Samoa A.

Matt Hodgson will captain the side that also features Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman and winger Nick Cummins.

The Force will be looking to build upon last week’s 69-3 win over Samoa A as they take to the newly resurfaced nib Stadium for the first time in 2014.

The Pampas XV will use the match as part of their preparations for the 2014 Pacific Nations Cup, with their 30-man squad including 18 players with international Test experience.

Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says both the Pampas XV and Samoa A will provide strong competition for the club ahead of its opening match of the Super Rugby season against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 23 February.

“Last week was a good start and it’s important that we step it up again this week,” he said. “We’re most pleased with the discipline we displayed under challenging circumstances. There were noticeable improvements in our contact and game understanding, and it’s important we continue to focus on the detail required to ensure we’re making the most of the opportunities we create.

“While our attitude in defence was very good, we appreciate that the Pampas XV and Samoa A, with a game under their belt, will pose a far greater challenge this week.”

Tickets to Friday’s match are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au) with tickets (subject to availability) also available at the venue on match day.

2014 Super Rugby – Pre-Season
Western Force v Pampas XV
The Force Field (nib Stadium), Perth
Friday, 14 February 2014
Kick-off: 7.30pm

1. Tetera Faulkner
2. Nathan Charles
3. Kieran Longbottom/Ollie Hoskins
4. Sam Wykes
5. Wilhelm Steenkamp
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Zack Holmes
11. Nick Cummins
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Junior Rasolea
14. Marcel Brache
15. Luke Morahan

Western Force v Samoa A
The Force Field (nib Stadium), Perth
Friday, 14 February 2014
Kick-off: 5pm

1. Pek Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann (c)
3. Salesi Manu
4. Hugh McMeniman
5. Phoenix Battye
6. Rory Walton
7. Chris Alcock
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ian Prior
10. Sias Ebersohn
11. Ed Stubbs
12. Luke Burton
13. Chris Tuatara-Morrison
14. Patrick Dellit
15. Jayden Hayward

Reserves:
16. Robbie Abel
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Chris Heiberg
19. Bruce Smith-Wright
20. Corey Thomas
21. Richard Hardwick
22. Kane Koteka
23. Ryan Louwrens
24. Dillyn Leyds
25. Brad Lacey
26. Dylan Sage
27. Dane Haylett-Petty

[sittingbison]

I like it that the Force A is pretty much as good as the Force 1st XV

And about time they started calling out home ground the Force Field. And FFS its about time they made it that, somewhere other teams dread to come

[andrewg]

Virtually the same run-on team (except at 3 & 15) as last week.
We appear to genuinely now have good pressure on almost every position.
Fantastic to see MMM back on the pitch (but hope its only for 30-40 minutes as he looks very much underdone).
Really looking forward to how both teams perform before the Tahs next week.
Great chance for some of the extended squad who have put in the hard yards during pre-season to have a run and put pressure on others.
Appears that Ollie is now making a real claim for at least a bench position.

[GAFFA]

So how did MMM make such quick recovery just last week he was looking at round 3-4?

[chiraag]

Yeah, that's kind of worrying that MMM seems to be returning to the field so soon. You would think it would be prudent to give him an extra week or two just to make sure he's right given his history.

Interesting that Faulkner appears to be starting ahead of Pek as well, and I thought DHP wouoldn't be so far down the pecking order for the outside backs.

[The InnFORCEr]

I wouldn't be taking it that these teams are set up in "pecking order" just yet, these games will be played to "establish" a "pecking order"

[jargan83]

I'm sure that the Force medical/physio team would have checked off MMM's fitness before allowing him to play this week

[Alison]

If the Force Doc has cleared MMM to play, that's all I need to know. He used to be an orthopaedic surgeon so knows his onions...and his shoulders!

[Sheikh]

I like it that the Force A is pretty much as good as the Force 1st XV

And about time they started calling out home ground the Force Field. And FFS its about time they made it that, somewhere other teams dread to come

NIB doesn't seem to be a particularly good home field, given the record of us, Glory and even the Angels!

[sandgroperrugby]

bit confused by this release.

Are there 2 games on Friday night? do the gates open for the first game?

[The InnFORCEr]

Yes and Yes

[Tazzmania]

bit confused by this release.

Are there 2 games on Friday night? do the gates open for the first game?

Just called Rugby WA and they have confirmed the gates will open a minute or two before 5pm so we will have to get in quick for kick off but at least it is going to be open and it is being looked as as a "double header".

[valzc]

But is the members bar open? And still haven't got members card!

[The InnFORCEr]

But is the members bar open? And still haven't got members card!

No, only the old stand is open to save $$$ but there is a full strength bar under/in that stand

[shasta]

If we were wondering about the wisdom of staging non-Super opposition in these trials, this double header answeres the question. Great chance for the whole squad to play under pretty close to normal match conditions. The opposition is good enough to give them a strong hit-out before next week and see how the combinations work. Also exposes some of the leading local hopes.