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Western Force second-rower Sitaleki Timani back where it all started for grudge match against Melbourne Rebels
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Wed, 10 March 2021 5:30PM
Line-bending hit man Sitaleki Timani is back where it all started in Friday night’s Super Rugby grudge match against Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park.
The former Wallaby second-rower, who made his Super Rugby debut for the Force, has come out of quarantine and gone straight onto the bench in a forward re-shuffle as they chase back-to-back wins.
Flanker Tim Anstee is out after injuring his shoulder scoring a try in the drought-breaking win against the Waratahs.
It means the other try-scorer Fergus Lee-Warner moves from the second row to No. 6 with Ryan McCauley making his first start in the engine room.The only other change is winger Marcel Bache replacing the injured Toni Pulu.
Timani, capped 18 times for the Wallabies, has returned to Australia after seven years in France and Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson expects an immediate impression.
“At 123kgs, over 200cm, it’s pretty exciting to bring someone like that into your squad,” Hodgson said.
“We need a big-bodied player coming off the bench. Something we haven’t done is dent the line.
“It’s not how do we break the line, it’s how do we dent it, make them retreat, and Sita’s a player that can do that.
“He has played 17 games this year. He’s definitely rugby fit.
“We will look to have a bit more of the ball crashers at the back end of the game and bringing Fergus into No.6, nothing really changes in his game.
“It’s disappointing to lose Tim but it’s better to take one week than potentially lose him in a tough campaign.
“We need a squad to win and bringing in a player like Sita for Tim Anstee is a pretty good swap.”
Coach Tim Sampson, looking for consistency and cohesion, has retained halves Tomas Cubelli and Jake McIntyre, meaning there still no place in the starting side for captain Ian Prior. Sampson has also kept Richard Kahui and Tevita Kuridrani in midfield,
Hooker Jack Winchester, Samoan World Cup international centre Henry Taefu and versatile back Jack McGregor come onto the bench.
Force starting side:
Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Thrush, Ryan McCauley, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Tomás Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Marcel Brache, Richard Kahui, Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Rob Kearney. Reserves: Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Sitaleki Timani, Tomás Lezana, Ian Prior, Henry Taefu, Jack McGregor.