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Prop Pekahou Cowan will become the second player to play 100 Asteron Life Super Rugby matches for the Western Force when he runs out against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium on Friday night.
The 28-year-old loosehead was one of the inaugural members of the Force and joins captain Matt Hodgson (113 caps) as the only players to have reached the 100-match mark for the Western Australian club.
Cowan says he’s honoured to reach the 100-cap milestone.
“I can remember my debut for the club really clearly, it was at Subiaco and I came off the bench against the Waratahs,” he said. “We didn’t go so well but from that day I vowed that I wanted play many more games for the Force and I’m so thankful I’ve had that opportunity to do that.
“I’m so grateful I’ve been able to stay here for 10 years and play some good rugby. To play 100 games of Super Rugby is a huge achievement but do it as a one club player makes it even more special.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson will make his first Asteron Life Super Rugby appearance for the year on Friday when he returns from a hamstring injury sustained in a pre-season fixture against the Asia Pacific Dragons.
The Force skipper will return to his familiar openside flank and join No.8 Ben McCalman and blindside flanker Angus Cottrell in a back-row combination that started in 11 of 16 matches during the 2014 season.
A foot injury to interim captain Sam Wykes sees Steve Mafi shift from side of the scrum into the second row.
In the backline, Ian Prior will start his first match of 2015, replacing scrumhalf Alby Mathewson, who has been sidelined with a knee injury.
On the bench, Cottelsoe scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens is in line to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut after a knee injury – requiring a reconstruction – scuppered his 2014 season.
Flanker Kane Koteka makes his return after being rested against the Stormers following a concussion while big lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will also start from the Western Force reserves list.
Head Coach Michael Foley says Cowan has been a stalwart across the club’s 10 seasons.
“One hundred matches at this level is a special achievement for both Pek and his family,” he said. “It’s testament to the sacrifices they've made together, which have led to Pek being a consistently high performer over 10 years.
“Last week’s performance was a better reflection of how we want to play as a team. The momentum we achieved [against the Stormers] was much improved and we created a number of opportunities as a result. Composure and early and simple communication will ensure we finish more of what we're creating.”
Tickets are available for the Western Force’s next home match against the NSW Waratahs at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) on Saturday, 9 May. Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.au.
2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 11
Chiefs v Western Force
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Friday, 23 April 2015
Kick-off: 7.35pm (local)/3.35pm (AWST)
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Steve Mafi
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Ian Prior
10. Sias Ebersohn
11. Nick Cummins
12. Luke Burton
13. Kyle Godwin
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Oliver Hoskins
19. Wilhelm Steenkamp
20. Kane Koteka
21. Ryan Louwrens
22. Junior Rasolea
23. Marcel Brache
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
I wonder who go's to 10 when/if Sias has to go off - Luke Burton or Kyle Godwin?
Burton to 10, Kyle to 12, Junior to 13
and I'm not unhappy about that
Pretty good side on paper, bench is a worry. Let us see which WF turns up to play.
Hope Mitch Scott enjoys the trip back to NZ. Might be able to kick back and chug a few Waikato Draughts, cook up a Hangi and do the team laundry. Apparently he isn't at the Force to play any rugby. Can he drive the team bus I wonder??
I suppose Alby hurt his knee in the changing room!😁
May the FORCE be with you!
Yes! The season is over but we finally get our best forward pack. Hodgo in and Wykes out
Looking forward to seeing how prior goes with a full game
And we already know what Rasolea and brache have to offer, try someone different!!
A bit optimistic but this is a good team and if they can go 80 mins anything could happen as well know in the 1st game of the season and other games in other seasons...
Is Zach injured?
Greetings from the UK - will be watching at our BnB in Seaton, Rutland on Sky Sports 1 at 08:30 am GMT.
Some team comparisons:
Starting XV:
CHIEFS: 584 SXV caps; 5 Test Players - 122 caps.
FORCE: 799 SXV caps; 8 (6W/1AB/1T) Test Players - 91 caps
Benches:
CHIEFS: 287 SXV caps; 1 Test Player - 2 caps.
FORCE: 195 SXV caps; 0 Test Players.
Packs:
CHIEFS: 902 kg
FORCE: 892 kg
Force ahead on experience - esp SXV.
Chiefs +10kg on starting pack.
Force close gap by 2kg Front Row replacements.
This is a strong Force side up against a depleted Chiefs.
Force to benefit from Hodgo's on-field leadership.
If Hodgo comes back anywhere near his best we're in with a good showing on this one!
Last edited by andrewg; 24-04-15 at 13:22.