COWAN RETURNS TO FACE HURRICANES

[Darren]

Loosehead prop Pek Cowan will return to the Western Force starting line-up to face the Wellington Hurricanes at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Friday night (27 February) – the opening home match of the club’s 10th Asteron Life Super Rugby season.

Cowan was carried from the field in the club’s opening round match against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney, with scans clearing him of any serious injury.

The match will be the 28-year-old’s 93rd for the Western Force – allowing him to surpass Nathan Sharpe (92 matches) as the second most-capped player for the club. Matt Hodgson (113 matches) remains the most-capped Western Force player.

Lock Steve Mafi has received his first opportunity in the starting XV after two strong performances from the bench, and will replace the injured Adam Coleman (hip) in the second row.

Dynamic back-rower Brynard Stander has also been provided with his first run-on start for 2015, and will start at openside flanker in place of the injured pairing of Matt Hodgson (hamstring) and Chris Alcock (ankle).

In the backline, Zack Holmes will shift from fullback to flyhalf, allowing Luke Burton to start in the ‘15’ jersey.

The Force reserves list sees Future Force and Wests Scarborough flanker Kane Koteka in line to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut, while Rory Walton returns to the match day 23 for the first time since Round 17 in 2013.

Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is looking forward to playing its first match of the season on home soil.

“We look forward to every game we play at home in front of our passionate supporters” he said.

“It’s pleasing to have Pek return to the squad, as Friday marks another milestone in his career becoming the second most-capped player in the club’s history.

“It also represents an excellent opportunity for both Steve [Mafi] and Kane [Koteka] in their starting and Super Rugby debuts respectively.

“Steve’s hard work through pre-season has shown in the impact he’s had in the opening two games and Kane has earned a lot of respect through his performances in NRC and this season’s trials.”

Tickets are available for the Western Force’s match against the Wellington Hurricanes at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Friday, 27 February. Tickets are available from www.westernforce.com.au.

2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week Three
Western Force v Hurricanes
The ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium), Perth
Friday, 27 February 2015
Kick-off: 7pm

1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Sam Wykes (c)
5. Steve Mafi*
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Brynard Stander
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Zack Holmes
11. Marcel Brache
12. Solomoni Jnr Rasolea
13. Kyle Godwin
14. Luke Morahan
15. Luke Burton

Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Oliver Hoskins
19. Rory Walton
20. Kane Koteka**
21. Ian Prior
22. Sias Ebersohn
23. Mitchell Scott
* denotes Western Force/Super Rugby starting debut
** denotes Western Force/Super Rugby debut

[WF2006]

No mention of "the Badge"?

Great to see Pek back though.

[palitu]

Good luck Kane - I am sure there will be a bunch of extra's down hoping he gets his debut!

I like Mafi's size in the second row - i hope he can keep the aggression up, as we need the 'ard bastard there, along side stander.

Hopefully Holmes smashes it at 10 and burton does the same. There has been a lot of movement this week, and hopefully it will allow the backline into the game, as that has been sorely missed.

No Badger though...

[jargan83]

No mention of "the Badge"?

Not risking his ankle. Will be back next week.

[The InnFORCEr]

Info on The Badge in this thread http://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=36256

[chibi]

Bring back James Stannard!

[GIGS20]

I think it's a good move to throw Zac in at 10. 15 doesn't really seem to be his go and Sias kicked too much and too poorly last week. If nothing else. If nothing else it says that poor performances won't be tolerated this year, but doesn't totally deride the player (which would have been the story if both Zac and Sias were benched)

Hopefully Zac holds the ball plenty, we starve them of possession and the forward pack understand that it's their job to make sure Zac gets the ball consistently with plenty of time so that he's not forced to kick.

Once he CHOOSES to kick, we need a gutbusting chase from one of the back three to run everybody else onside ASAP and get our pigs into their faces.

Rugby is such a simple game innit?

[onions]

We have a Japanese international and a NPC player in the squad who have both played fullback. Mr foley selected a 5/8th to replace DHP and now a 5/8th / centre. I'm not criticising neither selector nor players. Could somebody just shed a little light on the reasoning for me please?

[phantom]

1,2,3 I really hope our boys can stand their man against Goodes Coles and Franks
4. Sam Wykes (c).... Sam has done nothing on the field as Lock or captain work rate is poor not sure why the coaches have picked him
5. Steve Mafi*... played well but Where is Wilhelm Steenkamp ???
7. Brynard Stander I really hope he can produce what I think he can.
10. Zack Holmes a 25 game 97 point rookie that has mostly started from the bench, Big ask to play against Beauden Barrett a veteran with 594 points behind his name however this is Zack's opertunity to shine and to thank the coaching staff for trusting him in the pivot role
13. Kyle Godwin needs to run straighter he cant drift sideways at 13 if he has good outside backs like Luke M and Marcel B looking for a bit of space to run
15. Luke Burton... Where is Akihito Yamada 58 tries over four seasons as an outside back is definitely something to consider Luke B is a 20 year old inexperienced 5/8 ...

Reserves
If Akihito Yamada was not good enough for the starting squad then maybe at least on the bench
22. Sias Ebersohn Top point scorer for the club and he is on the bench... WTF is going on here


Someone need to stand up and talk I have not seen such a quite team like the one we had against the reds the boys need to be talked into a good place on the field.

Like every Friday I will be wearing one of my Force shirt to work and regardless of all the odds against us I will believe we can win it up and until the final whistle blows.... even if we trail 18-6, 1 minute before the end of the game.

[brokendown gunfighter]

I think we may be in for a shellacking here
hope I'm wrong

[valzc]

1,2,3 I really hope our boys can stand their man against Goodes Coles and Franks
4. Sam Wykes (c).... Sam has done nothing on the field as Lock or captain work rate is poor not sure why the coaches have picked him
5. Steve Mafi*... played well but Where is Wilhelm Steenkamp ???
7. Brynard Stander I really hope he can produce what I think he can.
10. Zack Holmes a 25 game 97 point rookie that has mostly started from the bench, Big ask to play against Beauden Barrett a veteran with 594 points behind his name however this is Zack's opertunity to shine and to thank the coaching staff for trusting him in the pivot role
13. Kyle Godwin needs to run straighter he cant drift sideways at 13 if he has good outside backs like Luke M and Marcel B looking for a bit of space to run
15. Luke Burton... Where is Akihito Yamada 58 tries over four seasons as an outside back is definitely something to consider Luke B is a 20 year old inexperienced 5/8 ...

Reserves
If Akihito Yamada was not good enough for the starting squad then maybe at least on the bench
22. Sias Ebersohn Top point scorer for the club and he is on the bench... WTF is going on here


Someone need to stand up and talk I have not seen such a quite team like the one we had against the reds the boys need to be talked into a good place on the field.

Like every Friday I will be wearing one of my Force shirt to work and regardless of all the odds against us I will believe we can win it up and until the final whistle blows.... even if we trail 18-6, 1 minute before the end of the game.

So true - mysterious and more mysteriouser things happening this week - hope we're not going off the rails already. Although I do think Sias seems to have hit a pothole and either the game plan instructions were useless last week or he wasn't listening, I don't know. We really do need to get the new recruits blooded on the field & seeing as we'll probably get towelled anyway why not let them have a go?

[DazloT]

Spot on valzc.
Why not give the running game that Holmes and burton seemed to generate in the trials a go?

In fact I hope they go in with the trial attitude and just try things and go for it.

After last week, losing this game with a running backline type of game and in your face attitude will be a lot better than losing with a forward dominated grinding type of game. We know they can do that, why not get a few more tools in the tool bag.

It would certainly make a few critics think twice.

Btw I still believe we will win it of course

[GIGS20]

I think we may be in for a shellacking here
hope I'm wrong

We do our best work in those moments.

Just throwin' it out there

[hertryk]

Sias DO NOT KICK away possession......and PLEASE have your radar working tonight.. PLEEEASE!!! I have had a S*** week at work and need this to lift my spirits... as do all the Sea of Blue... C'Arn the Force

[Alison]

Sias DO NOT KICK away possession......and PLEASE have your radar working tonight.. PLEEEASE!!! I have had a S*** week at work and need this to lift my spirits... as do all the Sea of Blue... C'Arn the Force

Sias isn't in the team tonight Hertryk ;-)