FORCE NAMES SQUAD FOR DRAGONS TRIAL MATCH
The Western Force have named a strong 29-man squad for the club’s final preseason hit-out against the Asia Pacific Dragons at McGillivray Oval on Saturday, 13 February.
The Force will be on the hunt for back-to-back victories on Saturday as they continue to build towards the 2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby season after accounting for the Hurricanes 28-0 in Gosford last week.
The squad has been bolstered by the return of skipper Matt Hodgson and scrumhalf Alby Mathewson after missing the clash with the ‘Canes’, the pair are relishing the chance to get a game under their belts heading into Round One.
New recruit Jono Lance looked at home in the blue jersey, playing a starring role in the triumph over the Hurricanes and has been rewarded with a run-on-start at flyhalf. Lance controlled the play brilliantly last week and will again push the pace as the Force look to fine tune their new attacking game style in front of the Sea of Blue this weekend.
Semisi Masirewa will again feature after the Fijian-flyer scored a brilliant try on debut last week and will be keen to repeat the dose as competition heats up for Round One spots.
The formidable pairing of Adam Coleman and Steve Mafi will partner in the second row while Dane Haylett-Petty retains his place at fullback after a brilliant defensive performance in Gosford including a number of bone-rattling hits in the last line of defence that kept the Hurricanes scoreless.
The Asia Pacific Dragons side is made up of players from the Japan Top League and features a host of players with test match experience including former Wallaby Radike Samo, former All Blacks Isaac Ross and Jimmy Cowan and Tongan 2015 Rugby World Cup representatives Latiume Fosita and Hale T-Pole.
The match kicks-off at 5:00PM on Saturday, 13 February, with gates opening at 4:00PM.
Tickets are available both at the gate and online at a discounted rate, children under 17 get in free with a paying adult.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Pre-Season
Western Force v Asia Pacific Dragons
McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Kick-off: 5.00pm (AWST)
Western Force (Team):
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Guy Millar
4. Steve Mafi
5. Adam Coleman
6. Brynard Stander
7. Matt Hodgson (C)
8. Angus Cottrell
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Jono Lance
11. Albert Nikoro
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Marcel Brache
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Chris Heiberg
18. Jermaine Ainsley
19. Ross Haylett-Petty
20. Chris Alcock
21. Richard Hardwick
22. Kane Koteka
23. Ian Prior
24. Peter Grant
25. Solomoni Rasolea
26. Ammon Matuauto
27. Semisi Masirewa
28. Maalonga Konelio
29. Rory Walton
(Blank Jersey)
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