Force Named for Crusaders Match

[Muddly]

No.8 Brynard Stander and utility back Patrick Dellit have been named in the Western Force starting XV to take on the Crusaders at Christchurch’s AMI Stadium (Addington) on Friday (30 May).

Stander earns his first opportunity in the run-on side after 10 dynamic performances off the bench in 2014. The 24-year-old will start at blindside flanker, while Angus Cottrell shifts to No.8, replacing Wallabies back-rower Ben McCalman, who will miss the match due to a groin strain.

Dellit returns to the starting line-up at outside centre to form a new-look centre pairing with Chris Tuatara-Morrison. Tuatara-Morrison shifts to inside centre to cover the absence of Luke Burton, who is currently on duty with the Australian Under 20’s squad ahead of next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in Auckland.

The match will be Dellit’s first start in the ‘13’ jersey since the Western Force’s last encounter against the Crusaders in Christchurch in the final match of 2012.

The Force bench will also feature two new faces for the match, including local Perth product Ryan Hodson, who is in line to make his debut for the Western Force having already played two Asteron Life Super Rugby matches for the Melbourne Rebels during the 2012 season.

Playmaker Dillyn Leyds, 21, is set to make his first Asteron Life Super Rugby appearance, having joined the Western Force from South Africa’s Western Province for the 2014 season.

Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is looking for a strong performance ahead of the three-week Test break.

“Our recent block of matches has been a great challenge for the boys – starting with three strong South African sides and now facing the Crusaders in Christchurch,” he said

“While we’ve shown a lot of character in defence in recent weeks, our decision making with the ball was a feature against the Lions. To win with a bonus point on the back of the SA trip was a good effort, but even more pleasing was the way the boys reviewed their performance with a focus on identifying areas to improve.

“The Crusaders are a benchmark side and our ability to lift for one big effort ahead of the Test window will be crucial to performing well.”

2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 16

Western Force v Crusaders

AMI Stadium (Addington), Christchurch

Friday, 30 May 2014

Kick-off: 7.35pm (local)/3.35pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Sam Wykes
5. Wilhelm Steenkamp
6. Brynard Stander^
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Angus Cottrell

9. Ian Prior
10. Sias Ebersohn
11. Nick Cummins
12. Chris Tuatara-Morrison
13. Patrick Dellit
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Jayden Hayward

Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Ollie Hoskins
19. Adam Coleman
20. Ryan Hodson**
21. Justin Turner
22. Zack Holmes
23. Dillyn Leyds*

* Asteron Life Super Rugby debut
** Western Force debut
^ starting debut

[Muddly]

Must say I've been waiting for a while to see young pepper ( Dillyn Leyds), to see if he is as good as he looked in the preseason and Pacific nations. Best of luck to all the boys. Stick to the game plan and the rest will take care of it self!!

[Jeansyjive]

Standers job to hammer McCaw and Cottrell to hammer Read!

Go the Force!

[Ecky]

There must be some dire injury concerns for Paddy to be in the run-on side!

I really REALLY hope he takes his chance and proves to be a contributor to the culture.

[brokendown gunfighter]

bit harsh Ecky;sure he hasn't played very well this season,but last year he did ok-& implying that he isn't a contributor tothe Force culture is based on what?

[kipper_mckinnon]

1 thumbs down Ecky

[kipper_mckinnon]

Been dying to see Stander get a start, but so hard to drop any of the back 3 because of their performances.
I read somewhere that Stander had a 100% tackle record last year in South Africa - we may need that tomorrow night.
Hopefully he will get a chance to show his pace too.
Guess Foyles didn't want to risk Mathewson - makes sense - another 3 weeks to get fully fit

[Herbasimplex]

Thought foley might have given Stubbs a run in the centres or wing. Must not be a fan of his at all.

[brokendown gunfighter]

yes,that is suprising-Stubbs had some good games last year,but I don't think he has made the game day squad this year

[WFDom]

Should have given Stubbs a go. Izzy Dagg is still having Stubbs nightmares from last years game!

[BeeJay]

Where's Tetera Faulkner?

[Alison]

He's injured I think, hence why he didn't play last weekend.

[WFDom]

I would say Paddy Dellit needs the performance of his life tomorrow to stand a chance of being retained next year. I know he's shown promise in years passed... but, he now he needs to put up.

No room for hanger-on-er-ers any more!!!! We need our wider squad to be quality options when the injuries mount up, but he certainly hasn't been that this season.

[andrewg]

He's injured I think, hence why he didn't play last weekend.

TF injured his back in Capetown.

Back into the fray after the test break.

[Ecky]

bit harsh Ecky;sure he hasn't played very well this season,but last year he did ok-& implying that he isn't a contributor tothe Force culture is based on what?

Based on games 1 & 2. In recent games they all play for each other and put their bodies on the line for their team-mates. There was no evidence of that from paddy in the first games of the season.

Sorry if it seems harsh, but I thought Foles took way too long to drag him in the Brumbies match.