Force vs Highlanders 2017

[Nipper]

Matt Phillips coming back might mean Carmichael missing out. Personally, I've been impressed by the young Scot, but I guess we've only got him on loan and Phillips needs the games.

Was very impressed with Philips' ball-carrying ability, before he went out injured.

[GIGS20]

If I recall it was also Kieran who pushed the final try scorer out wide at the end.
He is a good lad. Devastated by having to go to England after being ignored by the Wallabies.

Fixed

[MI5_Dog]

Anyone know of a place in Okpo South Korea where I can watch the match on Saturday?

[WFDom]

FORCE v HIGHLANDERS in Perth, Saturday 7.45pm AEST

ALL Blacks halves Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga will start from the bench as the Highlanders visit the Force in Perth.

Smith has been given a breather at halfback, where Kayne Hammington earns a rare start, while five-eighth Sopoaga returns via the bench after missing nine games with a hamstring injury.

Tevita Li replaces the suspended Waisake Naholo on the wing, All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman returns to start and Elliot Dixon will captain the side from No 8.

Lock Tom Franklin has been named to play his 50th game.

The Highlanders are riding a seven-game winning streak while the Force revived their finals hopes with an upset win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last week.

FORCE (TBC)

HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Matt Faddes, Patrick Osborne, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Tevita Li, Marty Banks, Kayne Hammington, Elliot Dixon (c), Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siate Tokolahi, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Ash Dixon, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Joe Wheeler, Jackson Hemopo, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Rob Thompson

Referee: Shuhei Kubo (JAP)

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...90aa42b7e599e5

Look at that puss weak bench!

We got this boys!!!!!

[blueandblack]

Anyone know of a place in Okpo South Korea where I can watch the match on Saturday?

Google tells me this place might help: https://www.facebook.com/tigertigerokpo/

[PJ43]

If we play the young guns and leave out Brache (sorry mate but too many errors) and Morahan I think we have a show.

Hopefully they are underestimating us with Smith and Sopoaga on the bench.

[The InnFORCEr]

Reinforcements Back to Host Highlanders


By Fraser Smith on Thu 18th May 17



The Road Safety Western Force have welcomed back into the side a host of players for the huge clash with the Highlanders at the Force Field this Saturday, 20 May kicking off at 5:45pm AWST.

Tatafu Polota-Nau returns as the starting hooker jersey after missing the Jaguares match last week. Jermaine Ainsley will start at tighthead after recovering from an elbow injury he suffered against the Crusaders in Round Five.

Brynard Stander is the only change in the backrow, as the ferocious ball runner is set to start at openside flank.

Veteran Peter Grant will start at flyhalf after an impressive performance in Buenos Aires last week. Jono Lance will miss the game with an injured hand.

In the back three, Luke Morahan returns from a fractured cheekbone and will start at fullback.

In the reserves Anaru Rangi and Tetera Faulkner will look to bring plenty of impact off the bench, along with locks Lewis Carmichael and Matt Philip who makes his return from an injured foot. Michael Ruru is the last inclusion in the reserves, returning from an ankle injury he suffered in Round 7 against the Kings.

Road Safety Western Force Head Coach says the endeavour shown in Argentina was pleasing, and just reward after a tough performance, but his side will need to be back on task against an in-form Highlanders side.

“Our performance in Argentina was built on the back of our intensity in our preparation. Our challenge is to match that again this week. We’re excited to be back at home in front of the Sea of Blue.”

Road Safety Western Force Team v Highlanders

1. Pek Cowan
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Richie Arnold
5. Adam Coleman
6. Ross Haylett-Petty
7. Brynard Stander
8. Richard Hardwick
9. Ian Prior
10. Peter Grant
11. Alex Newsome
12. Bill Meakes
13. Curtis Rona
14. Semisi Masirewa
15. Luke Morahan



Reserves

16. Anaru Rangi
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Matt Philip
20. Lewis Carmichael
21. IsireliNaisarani
22. Michael Ruru
23. James Verity-Amm

https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti...st-highlanders

[brokendown gunfighter]

Hmmm

[agrugger]

So I guess Hodgo's ankle is a bit more serious than he let on? Anyone hear anything on him?

[Tazzmania]

With the injuries and after a trip across the world that is not a bad line up.

Good to see Meakes captaining the side, another that leads by example, great choice.

Looking forward to another physical encounter.

[yungfen]

Lance is a notable absence too. Did I miss an injury update?
Hopefully Peter Grant will keep up his unexpected spike in form!

[andrewg]

WELL KNOCK ME OVER WITH A FEATHER!

Brynard Stander is NOT an OSF. He has earned 1 TOW in 438 minutes of game time.

Matt Hodgson is NOT injured.

In 2017 Stander has averaged (for 80 mins played) 20 Ruck Involvements (16A/4D), 8 Tackles and 8 carries for 50m.
In full games his Ruck Involvements have been as low as 15.

In 2017 Hodgson has averaged (for 80 mins played) 38 Ruck Involvements (29A/9D),13 Tackles and 9 carries for 38m.
In full games Hodgson's Ruck Involvements have not been below 35.

I hope the lads do well against the Clan.

GO THE FORCE!

[valzc]

So we've lost 3 Captains!

[GIGS20]

Taking the replacements one by one, I'm pretty happy with this

Tatafu Polota-Nau

I reckon this was a scheduled rotation to cater for the demands of the massive road trip

Jermaine Ainsley

Looking at the way he was playing when he got cheap shotted by the lowest asshole of a prop in the competition, he deserves to start as soon as fit. I hope he hasn't been rushed back.

Brynard Stander

This is the really interesting one, Leaving out Hodgo (Injured, or just working some crazy plan) Dave has named 2 locks on the bench, I'm sure there's some devious shit running around in his head, with 5 locks named in the side. Are we worried about our lineout? could that be because Taf isn't a noted thrower? Does Dave think our locks are just as good in the loose as the tight? One thing's for sure, this will be the area to watch come Saturday night!

Peter Grant

I've ripped on him plenty in the last couple of years, but he was good last weekend. Forced by injury, and we have nothing left in the cookie jar, but I can see how it isn't a disaster.

Luke Morahan

Plenty of people have ripped on Mozza this year, I've been one of them at times, but when we consider that last week it was Marcel in 15, this HAS to be a step up! (love Marcel, but he always looks like he's playing 15% above his capabilities) Hopefully Luke gets some broken field to run into, because I still reckon he's one of the best in Oz.

Anaru Rangi

Heath rested? It could be planned, the travel would be killer, but Ru-Dozer did good last weekend and will follow that up by another 20-30 minutes of hitting stuff really hard. Interesting that both of the hookers have a similar playing style, does that indicate that Dave is looking to beat the Landers into a pulp, then run through the mush?

Tetera Faulkner

This might be a rotation, it might be just because Jermaine deserves to pick up where he left off, It might be the safety valve if Jermaine isn't quite ready. I think these two are the best tightheads we have, and I think they're named in the right order.

Michael Ruru

At this point, any halfback who is fit should be named. Ian has done a pretty good job covering, but he's pretty much out of the swing of halfback now, If Ruru is fit enough, I'd like to see an early replacement with Prior being used at 10 or 15. It appears that Ian is the utility cover, because Verity-Amm is the only other reserve back.

Overall, I'm excited by the mix, glad to see some boys back from the quack and can't wait to see what Dave has planned for the crazy number of locks that he's named.....should be exciting!

[Tazzmania]

WELL KNOCK ME OVER WITH A FEATHER!

Brynard Stander is NOT an OSF. He has earned 1 TOW in 438 minutes of game time.

Matt Hodgson is NOT injured.

In 2017 Stander has averaged (for 80 mins played) 20 Ruck Involvements (16A/4D), 8 Tackles and 8 carries for 50m.
In full games his Ruck Involvements have been as low as 15.

In 2017 Hodgson has averaged (for 80 mins played) 38 Ruck Involvements (29A/9D),13 Tackles and 9 carries for 38m.
In full games Hodgson's Ruck Involvements have not been below 35.

I hope the lads do well against the Clan.

GO THE FORCE!

Maybe it is intended that like they did against the Jaguars, Richard will keep switching between OSF and 8th man, Brynard is more an 8th man.