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Thread: Highlanders v Western Force Friday April Fools Day

  1. #1
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    Highlanders v Western Force Friday April Fools Day

    The Western Force have made two changes to their run on side for the clash with last year’s champions the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 1 April.

    Wallaby Ben McCalman comes back into the fold at No. 8 and Luke Morahan returns to the right wing, after missing the first two games of the New Zealand tour with a foot injury.

    Head Coach Michael Foley says a full ground defensive effort is needed against the current Asteron Life Super Rugby champions.

    “The Highlanders play tough, smart rugby. Last week, they had one line break, but scored 4 tries, which is an indicator of how they vary their attack with ball in hand and kicking,” he said. “The key for us is to consistently apply pressure across 80 minutes.”

    “We asked good questions in the first half last week and created some good scoring opportunities, but we need to ensure we put ourselves in a position to keep attacking for the full game.”

    An unchanged front row will look to carry momentum from a strong set piece performance last week when they lock horns with a powerful Highlanders front row.

    Ross Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman will again partner in the second row, after strong performances from both men.

    While Ben McCalman comes back in to the backrow alongside skipper Matt Hodgson and Angus Cottrell will start at blindside flanker.

    Alby Mathewson will start at scrumhalf after one of his strongest performances of the year last weekend and veteran Peter Grant will martial the troops at flyhalf.

    Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea will again start at inside centre and Ben Tapuai will look to continue his good form in the number 13 jersey.

    Electrifying winger Luke Morahan races back into the team and will be keen to pick up where he left off against the Brumbies. Semisi Masirewa will man the left wing after a strong match and Dane Haylett-Petty rounds out the starting XV.

    Big man Steve Mafi will look to bring some energy from the bench, while Future Force product Richard Hardwick is set to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut.

    Ryan Louwrens will again come off the bench and hope to play his second match of the season. Ian Prior was strong off the bench last week and will look to do the same again, while Albert Nikoro will want to spark the attack if given the opportunity.
    2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week Six
    Highlanders v Western Force
    Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Friday, 1 April 2016

    Kick-off: 2:35PM AWST (Fox Sports)

    1. Pekahou Cowan
    2. Heath Tessmann
    3. Tetera Faulkner
    4. Ross Haylett-Petty
    5. Adam Coleman
    6. Angus Cottrell
    7. Matt Hodgson (C)
    8. Ben McCalman
    9. Alby Mathewson
    10. Peter Grant
    11. Semisi Masirewa
    12. Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea
    13. Ben Tapuai
    14. Luke Morahan
    15. Dane Haylett-Petty

    Reserves
    16. Nathan Charles
    17. Chris Heiberg
    18. Jermaine Ainsley
    19. Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi
    20. Richard Hardwick
    21. Ryan Louwrens
    22. Ian Prior
    23. Albert Nikoro

    Match Highlanders v Force @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
    Date Friday 1 April 2016
    Kick-Off 19:35 local
    Referee Brendon Pickerill
    AR1 Nick Briant
    AR2 Paul Williams
    TMO Chris Wratt

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  2. #2
    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    No point complaining, because we've earned it but who the hell is brendon pickerill?

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    C'mon the

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    Veteran Sheikh's Avatar
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    Another new ref. We had Paul Williams for the Hurricanes, and I think this is his first year in charge. We've then had him as assistant for the Chiefs and now for the Highlanders. From what I can tell, Chris Wratt is fairly new, too.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    And IIRC Nick Briant is the tosser who destroyed the Brumbies game isn't he?

    or was that Marius something?

    I have bad memories of Nick Briant, however they might be that he called a fair game and we just plain sucked!

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    (formerly known as Coach) Your Humble Servant Darren's Avatar
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    FORCE SIDE NAMED FOR CLASH WITH IN-FORM HIGHLANDERS

    The Western Force have made two changes to their run on side for the clash with last year’s champions the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 1 April.

    Wallaby Ben McCalman comes back into the fold at No. 8 and Luke Morahan returns to the right wing, after missing the first two games of the New Zealand tour with a foot injury.

    Head Coach Michael Foley says a full ground defensive effort is needed against the current Asteron Life Super Rugby champions.

    “The Highlanders play tough, smart rugby. Last week, they had one line break, but scored 4 tries, which is an indicator of how they vary their attack with ball in hand and kicking,” he said. “The key for us is to consistently apply pressure across 80 minutes.”

    “We asked good questions in the first half last week and created some good scoring opportunities, but we need to ensure we put ourselves in a position to keep attacking for the full game.”

    An unchanged front row will look to carry momentum from a strong set piece performance last week when they lock horns with a powerful Highlanders front row.

    Ross Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman will again partner in the second row, after strong performances from both men.

    While Ben McCalman comes back in to the backrow alongside skipper Matt Hodgson and Angus Cottrell will start at blindside flanker.

    Alby Mathewson will start at scrumhalf after one of his strongest performances of the year last weekend and veteran Peter Grant will martial the troops at flyhalf.

    Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea will again start at inside centre and Ben Tapuai will look to continue his good form in the number 13 jersey.

    Electrifying winger Luke Morahan races back into the team and will be keen to pick up where he left off against the Brumbies. Semisi Masirewa will man the left wing after a strong match and Dane Haylett-Petty rounds out the starting XV.

    Big man Steve Mafi will look to bring some energy from the bench, while Future Force product Richard Hardwick is set to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut.

    Ryan Louwrens will again come off the bench and hope to play his second match of the season. Ian Prior was strong off the bench last week and will look to do the same again, while Albert Nikoro will want to spark the attack if given the opportunity.
    2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week Six
    Highlanders v Western Force
    Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Friday, 1 April 2016
    Kick-off: 2:35PM AWST (Fox Sports)
    1. Pekahou Cowan
    2. Heath Tessmann
    3. Tetera Faulkner
    4. Ross Haylett-Petty
    5. Adam Coleman
    6. Angus Cottrell
    7. Matt Hodgson (C)
    8. Ben McCalman
    9. Alby Mathewson
    10. Peter Grant
    11. Semisi Masirewa
    12. Solomoni (Junior) Rasolea
    13. Ben Tapuai
    14. Luke Morahan
    15. Dane Haylett-Petty
    Reserves
    16. Nathan Charles
    17. Chris Heiberg
    18. Jermaine Ainsley
    19. Sitiveni (Steve) Mafi
    20. Richard Hardwick
    21. Ryan Louwrens
    22. Ian Prior
    23. Albert Nikoro

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  6. #6
    Player chiraag's Avatar
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    What's happened to Kane Koteka? I thought he was looking promising last year but hasn't been seen yet this year. Is he injured or just out of favour?

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    Veteran chibi's Avatar
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    Every time I look at the Force team on paper, they always look quite formidable. I wish they would play better. Bring on the upset this week!!!

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    Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!

    Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?

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    We really look amateur with two scrum halfs on the bench. I know Burton, Godwin and Lance are all injured. Is there not a young fly half in the wider training group we could give a baptism of fire. We knew about the injuries so could of taken them to NZ. Speaking of which, why is Louwrens out of favour? He was brilliant last year.

    Deciding if I try an avoid the result while at work and watch a replay when I get home.

    Cmon the Force!

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    Senior Player Herbasimplex's Avatar
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    Good to see morahan back. Seems the only player in the backline that can score tries, even though he can't tackle.

    Just want to see the boys put in a good performance across 80 minutes and give the highlanders a game. Force by 3

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  10. #10
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    HIGHLANDERS v FORCE

    Fair play to the Force. They try very hard and can be quite a decent foe for 40 minutes. But it all goes to pack after that and, after seeing the Hurricanes and Chiefs put plenty of second-half points on them in the last fortnight, there's limited appeal in watching the Highlanders do similar.

    That's not a slight on the Highlanders. Far from it, they are an impressive side playing admirable rugby. With or without the ball they pose teams problems and it would be terrific if they enjoyed a good playoff run again this year.

    But I'm a bit Force-d out.

    Pretty much says it all.

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  11. #11
    Immortal jargan83's Avatar
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    For those who are not 100% sure this game will be replayed on Fox Sports 2 at 7:30pm.

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    Yeah i must say my confidence is not glowing for this game. I still think that Alby ,as decennt a game as he had last week, is not quick enough any more and some of the other players just don't have the nous to fall into half back when he is struggling to get to the breakdown on time hence Dixon and Prior will give us some real headaches. Come on Boys prove me wrong and make me eat humble pie.

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  13. #13
    (Previously WFDS) WFDom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chiraag View Post
    What's happened to Kane Koteka? I thought he was looking promising last year but hasn't been seen yet this year. Is he injured or just out of favour?
    Kane's on tour and he is fit!

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    Great game, Fucken battled right through to the 80!

  14. #14
    Champion andrewg's Avatar
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    Hardwick is a better option for bench coverage of the Back Row.
    Koteka excellent coverage as a starting OSF.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andrewg View Post
    Hardwick is a better option for bench coverage of the Back Row.
    Koteka excellent coverage as a starting OSF.
    Is that because Koteka is more specialised and Hardwick is more flexible?

    Just trying to clarify your meaning.

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    C'mon the

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