FORCE NAMED FOR CAPITAL CLASH WITH THE BRUMBIES

[The InnFORCEr]

WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 10 July 2014



The Western Force will be looking for a top six finish when it faces the Brumbies in the final round of the Asteron Life Super Rugby regular season at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday night (11 July).

Back-rower Brynard Stander will be unleashed for his second start of the season, replacing the suspended Hugh McMeniman on the blindside flank in the only change to starting forward pack.

In the Force backline, Solomoni Rasolea returns to outside centre, where he started the first six matches of the season before breaking his wrist against the Reds in Week Six. He will team up with Chris Tuatara-Morrison in the midfield.

Flanker Chris Alcock (shoulder) will make his first appearance since the Force’s last match against the Brumbies in Perth in Week Three. Scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (hip) and flyhalf Sias Ebersohn (bicep) are also in line to make their return from injury off the bench, while inside back Luke Burton is back in the Force squad after representing the Australian Under 20 side at the recent IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand.

Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is determined to build on last week’s win against Queensland.

“The simple equation is: we win and we’re in control of our own destiny” he said.

“The Brumbies are a well drilled side that have done well over the last couple of seasons. While we have an understanding of how we want to play, minimising distractions and focusing our energy on the attitude we want to play with, has been significant this season in achieving outcomes we’ve chased.”

2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week 19
Western Force v Brumbies
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 11 July 2014
Kick-off: 7.40pm (local)/5.40pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Sam Wykes
5. Wilhelm Steenkamp
6. Brynard Stander
7. Matt Hodgson (c)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Ian Prior
10. Zack Holmes
11. Nick Cummins
12. Chris Tuatara-Morrison
13. Solomoni Rasolea
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
15. Jayden Hayward

Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Tetera Faulkner
18. Oliver Hoskins
19. Adam Coleman
20. Chris Alcock
21. Alby Mathewson
22. Luke Burton
23. Dillyn Leyds/Sias Ebersohn

[UNCLE BOOG]

Alby on the bench? if hes good to go, throw him in! Not like he can play next week if we lose!

[kipper_mckinnon]

Alby on the bench? if hes good to go, throw him in! Not like he can play next week if we lose!

I don't agree Boog.
I think he was underdone in the game v the Blues.
I think Prior deserves his spot.
Would be happy to see Alby come on with 20 minutes to go though.

This is probably the strongest bench I have seen since the force started 9 year ago !!!

[The InnFORCEr]

I think he is on the bench for a few reasons

a) Slightly underdone
b) Prior & Holmes better combo than Alby & Holmes, perhaps "if" Sias was starting you would also start Alby.
c) Agro impact from bench for not getting the starting spot

[oxleymoron]

Looks like I'm covering the outside backs

[WF1964]

Serious question here - the Holmes/Prior combo being recent ex-Brumbies - are there advantages or disadvantages in this pairing for this game?
I'm thinking won't the Brumbies be all too familiar with what to expect?

[GIGS20]

I think it's easier to get two blokes to change up the way they play than it is to get an entire squad to do it.

[valzc]

Happy with the team - still gonna be bloody tough against an all star Brumbies side- who are everyone's favourites eg Rugby HQ dicks again! Still no word on Luke?

[Moono74]

Brumbies are coming off the bye and their last start was a big loss to the Tahs and the 3 Test break before that. They are underdone and ripe to be knocked off if the Force are physical, get out in front and strangle the Brumbies opportunities.

[Rex Messup]

The brumbies are going to cut a swathe through our 12/13 channels. Our centres are shite. We miss the speed, finishing and rugby brain of Luke Morahan. Our centres have dead set nothing to offer. I am concerned about the lack of experience in the halves. The 10 especially takes a lot of poor options. A lot of wallabies returning for the ponies. We will have to hope they are rusty.

[zimeric]

Grumpy rex is back. I'm going to assume that at least as wasnt it you a couple of days ago saying we need to believe we will win? There haven't been any surprises so your attitude shouldn't changed since then

[RugbyRef]

I thought Foley said Godwin would be back.

[Rex Messup]

Grumpy rex is back.

If you think I'm grumpy, you should see my missus.......

[MI5_Dog]

If you think I'm grumpy, you should see my missus.......

Married a dwarf Rex?
Are you Dopey then?

[Kept One]

The Sea of Blue have the FAITH and the Force have the ATTITUDE, lets ride the ponies into the ground.