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WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Captain Matt Hodgson is set to make his return to Asteron Life Super Rugby after being named in the Western Force’s 25-man
travelling squad for its two-match New Zealand leg.
Hodgson sustained a hamstring injury in the Force’s final pre-season fixture against the Asia Pacific Dragons, and has been unavailable through the first half of the competition.
The 33-year-old will resume the captaincy of the squad, coinciding with the news that interim captain Sam Wykes will be unable to travel with the team after succumbing to a foot injury suffered in last night’s match against the Stormers.
Scrumhalf Alby Mathewson will also be sidelined after sustaining a knee injury against the Stormers last night. Mathewson’s absence provides the opportunity Ryan Louwrens to push for his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut after being named in the squad.
Openside flanker Kane Koteka, who was rested from last night’s match after suffering concussion against the Cheetahs a week ago, has also been selected in the squad.
The Western Force will depart tomorrow (Monday) before taking on the Chiefs in Hamilton (Friday, 24 April) and the Blues in Auckland on Saturday, 2 May.
Tickets to Western Force’s next home match against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, 9 May are now available! Visit www.ticketmaster.com.au.
2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – New Zealand Tour
Chiefs v Western Force
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Friday, 24 April 2015
Kick-off: 7.35pm (local)/3.35pm (AWST)
Blues v Western Force
Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Kick-off: 5.30pm (local)/1.30pm (AWST)
Western Force squad
Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nathan Charles, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pekahou Cowan, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ross Haylett-Petty, Chris Heiberg, Matt Hodgson (c), Oliver Hoskins, Kane Koteka, Ryan Louwrens, Steve Mafi, Ben McCalman, Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Solomoni Jnr Rasolea, Mitch Scott, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heath Tessmann.