Round 5 Crusdaers v Force

[wholetruth]

West has been reporting Meakes did his ankle against Brumbies but was expected to be Ok. Guess he's not
Update today
Marcel Brache replaces Billy Meakes who has not recovered from an ankle injury.

[brokendown gunfighter]

meakes was ruled out last week(but not announced)-Brache would have been training in that spot all week

[ads100]

Team announced:

Western Force: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Marcel Brache, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Jono Lance (c), 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Isi Naisarani, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman

[andrewM]

I'm sorry for my outburst after last game Ross. Really looking forward to seeing the team really show their mettle. Will be discreetly placing my tablet on my desk at work (why oh why an NZ game scheduled on a Friday? Seriously!) , Not sure if I'll be able to control the outbursts though.

[andrewM]

I wonder how Brache will go with the new-look backs?

[valzc]

I wonder how Brache will go with the new-look backs?

I like Brache, but he can be inconsistent, dropped balls etc, and hope he's strong enough to stand up to the heavy tackles. Looks like the Crusaders are out for blood this game which is kind of a compliment to the Force boys!

[Buddha Handy]

Good news - TPN and Naisarani getting a crack and hodgo back
Bad news - Brache starting. Not up to this level and should have been cut by now if they could have replaced him with someone

Could have played lance at 12 with prior, grant or burton at 10 (if none injured)

[choice]

I like the look of the forward pack, but I have some concerns about the defensive abilities of the backline.
Not that they can't tackle but some of there defensive positioning in phase play is pretty lazy.

[The InnFORCEr]

Forecast for Friday in Christchurch is evening showers and an 11 degree low

[zimeric]

Brache will be targeted but he is quite good at rush defence so as long as the back line as whole operate together in closing down space then he should be right. Anyone care to speculate why theyre resting DHP? Fatigue, discipline, ARU directive, Injury??

[The InnFORCEr]

ongoing groin niggle

[shasta]

Forecast for Friday in Christchurch is evening showers and an 11 degree low

How fortunate. Lucky you'll be back home before the weather turns cold.

[BeeJay]

The loss of DHP and Meakesy will be a challenge. Hope they'll be back next week, and maybe McCalman?? And when is Adam Coleman due back?

Glad they've brought in Naisarini to match the size of Barrett. And great to see TPN starting and Richie Arnold (potentially) given a go.

We've got some good replacements on the bench, so hopefully we can go the 80.

Big raps on Newsome - looking forward to seeing him at this level.

[Macattack]

Worried about Marcel and Morahan's ability to defend against a very good attacking side. Would absolutely love to see us beat the 'Saders at their home but think it may be a bridge too far (hopefully I'm wrong) and I will settle for a strong, committed 80 minutes performance (with no yellow cards please)

[vulcan]

i dont think we will lose but if that happens as long as they give it 110% that is all i can ask for