FORCE NAME SQUAD FOR CLASH WITH HURRICANES

[Darren]

The Western Force will return to the field this Wednesday, 3 February, when they take on 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby grand finalists the Hurricanes in the first of their two pre-season matches.

The Force have travelled to Gosford on the Central Coast to take on the ‘Canes’, in what should be a high quality fixture, with a strong 28-man squad named for the clash.

New recruits Jono Lance, Peter Grant and Semisi Masirewa are all set to play in Force blue for the first time, while Brynard Stander (shoulder) and Ammon Matuauto (knee) will make their returns from long-term injuries.

The pre-season match will also be the first in blue for young up-an-coming players Jermaine Ainsley (Nedlands), Richard Hardwick (UWA) and Maalonga Konelio (Joondalup Brothers). All three players coming through the ranks after strong seasons for the Perth Spirit in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) last year.

The squad once again boasts a number of locally-produced players in Dane and Ross Haylett-Petty, Kyle Godwin, scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens, flanker Kane Koteka and back rower Richard Hardwick.

Club stalwart Pek Cowan will captain the side, with Matt Hodgson unavailable to play and Heath Tessmann will take over the captaincy if and when Cowan is substituted.

The Hurricanes squad will also host a large number of debutants, with nine players pulling on the Hurricanes jersey for the very first time. Loose forward Brad Shields will captain the side in the absence of Dane Coles and TJ Perenara, as the 26-man squad look to get their season off to a good start.

The match will kick off at 6:50pm AEST (3:50pm AWST), and will be live streamed from the official Western Force website. Click here to watch the live stream: https://www.westernforce.com.au/live-stream-force-game.

2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Pre-Season
Western Force v Wellington Hurricanes
Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Kick-off: 6.50pm (AEST)
Western Force (Team):
1. Pek Cowan (C)
2. Nathan Charles
3. Guy Millar
4. Steve Mafi
5. Adam Coleman
6. Brynard Stander
7. Chris Alcock
8. Angus Cottrell

9. Ian Prior
10. Peter Grant
11. Albert Nikoro
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Marcel Brache
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty

Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Rory Walton
20. Ross Haylett-Petty
21. Richard Hardwick
22. Kane Koteka
23. Ryan Louwrens
24. Jono Lance
25. Onehunga Havili
26. Ammon Matuauto
27. Semisi Masirewa
28. Maalonga Konelio

Hurricanes (Squad): Jason Woodward, Matt Proctor, Pita Ahki, Willis Halaholo, Wes Goosen, Otere Black, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Blade Thomson, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields (c), Mark Abbott, Vaea Fifita, Jeff Toomaga-Allen,Motu Matu'u, Reg Goodes, Leni Apisai, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Hisa Sasagi, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, James Blackwell, Tony Lamborn, Frae Wilson, Malo Tuitama, Peter Umaga-Jensen

[kipper_mckinnon]

No Tapui ?
Injured ?

[GIGS20]

Will there be a delayed stream, that time won't work for me on a Wednesday

[andrewg]

No Tapui ?
Injured ?

Minor leg injury I hear but should be good, maybe for the home trial, but more likely for the Rebs game.

Also no Junior Rasolea????

Going to be good to see:
+ What Peter Grant adds to last years starting XV.
+ How well Ainsley goes once on against this level of opposition.
+ How Kyle goes back at IC.
+ How Jono fits into the squad (replace Grant or Prior??).
+ How much pressure Havilli, Matuato, Masiwera & Konelio can place on the more experienced Back Line.

Canceling all else to watch this match as no replay at this stage.

[jargan83]

Surely RugbyWA will have a stream/download via their website after the game as the 3:50 kick off doesn't suit a lot of people here in the West.

[wholetruth]

Lance to replace Prior? I think not. Alby will start at 9 in season and then Louwrens and Prior will fight it out. Louwrens my tip but certainly not Lance.
Hoskins must be out of favour with Ainsley getting the trip. Not surprised though he will have to step up if he wants to be around next year

[Tazzmania]

Minor leg injury I hear but should be good, maybe for the home trial, but more likely for the Rebs game.

Also no Junior Rasolea????

Going to be good to see:
+ What Peter Grant adds to last years starting XV.
+ How well Ainsley goes once on against this level of opposition.
+ How Kyle goes back at IC.
+ How Jono fits into the squad (replace Grant or Prior??).
+ How much pressure Havilli, Matuato, Masiwera & Konelio can place on the more experienced Back Line.

Canceling all else to watch this match as no replay at this stage.

Junior is sitting on the red card he received at the end of the NRC

[andrewg]

Junior is sitting on the red card he received at the end of the NRC

Thanks Tazzie - had forgotten that Red Card. Better in a trial game than in SR.

Just as I'd forgotten Louwrens was in the squad.

[Alison]

Agree with Wholetruth about Ollie. He needs to step up this season or he'll be out I reckon. Is it that he just doesn't have the talent to play at this level or is it that he's just not working hard enough on his game and expecting the mountain to come to him?

[Alison]

Anyone know why Hodgo is sitting out today? Injury, or fear of injury?!

[Insider]

Might interest a few paly stalwarts from around 1986 when Tony Jensens son Peter Umaga Jensen makes debut for hurricanes
His twin and Peter have also represented Nz Schools as well
They are also the nephew of Tana Umanga so have solid back round as tony was also a quality player but fulvio and crew filled him and his mates up with to much piss leading to the binge culture in Perth rugby today

[andrewg]

Anyone know why Hodgo is sitting out today? Injury, or fear of injury?!

Sounds like a good question for the Fan Day on Saturday.

[wholetruth]

Anyone know why Hodgo is sitting out today? Injury, or fear of injury?!

No injury. It's a trial and I think everyone knows what he can do. And he's not getting any younger

[Alison]

Sounds like a good question for the Fan Day on Saturday.

Can't go this year sadly :-((

[Alison]

No injury. It's a trial and I think everyone knows what he can do. And he's not getting any younger

Good opportunity for Pek to show his leadership credentials