Force named to face Brumbies in pre-season opener
The Western Force has named a 31-man squad to tackle the ACT Brumbies at McGillivray Oval this Friday night (23 January) in the club’s opening pre-season fixture of its 10th anniversary season. Kick-off for the match is 5pm.
Friday’s match will provide the first opportunity for the club’s passionate ‘Sea of Blue’ to see the Force in action in 2015, with Tetera Faulkner and Kyle Godwin in line to make their first appearances since returning from the Wallabies’ Spring Tour, while Nathan Charles will make his comeback from a pectoral injury suffered in Australia’s loss to the All Blacks during their Rugby Championship match in August.
The club will unveil four of its new recruits, with back-rower Ross Haylett-Petty, lock/back-rower Steve Mafi, and winger Mitchell Scott in line to represent the Force for the first time. Associates centre Ammon Matuauto has also earned his first opportunity in a Force jersey, after being promoted to the side’s Wider Training Group following an impressive Buildcorp National Rugby Championship season for the Perth Spirit.
Future Force recruit, Kane Koteka (flanker), has also been selected as one of eight locally-produced players, that includes Haylett-Petty brothers, Dane and Ross; Godwin; prop Oliver Hoskins, flyhalf Zack Holmes, centre Luke Burton and winger Brad Lacey.
Tickets for Friday’s match are available from the Western Force Team Store (203 Underwood Ave, Floreat) or at the venue on match day. With other events taking place in the UWA Sports Park/HBF Stadium precinct, patrons are encouraged to arrive early.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says the pre-season match against the Brumbies is an opportunity for his team to test itself leading into the club’s Asteron Life Super Rugby opener against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 15 February.
“The whole squad has worked incredibly hard throughout the NRC and pre-season training periods, and the guys are excited to be playing our first match of the year on Friday night,” he said.
“Every player has made a significant effort to improve team standards, which is an important commitment as we look to back up the improvements made last season.
“The Brumbies have a number of strengths that will allow us to test areas of our game we’re looking to improve, but more importantly, the opportunity to play a Super Rugby finalist in a trial match provides us with the type of challenge that was missing in last year’s preparation.”
2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Pre-Season
Western Force v Brumbies
McGillivray Oval, UWA Sports Park, Mt Claremont, Perth
Friday, 23 January 2015
Kick-off: 5pm
Prop: Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Oliver Hoskins, Francois van Wyk
Hooker: Robbie Abel, Nathan Charles, Heath Tessmann
Lock: Adam Coleman, Steve Mafi, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes
Back row: Chris Alcock, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander
Scrumhalf: Alby Mathewson, Ian Prior
Flyhalf: Sias Ebersohn, Zack Holmes
Wing: Marcel Brache, Brad Lacey, Luke Morahan, Mitchell Scott
Centre: Luke Burton, Kyle Godwin, Ammon Matuauto, Solomoni Rasolea
Fullback: Patrick Dellit, Dane Haylett-Petty
Ticket Prices
Tickets for Friday’s match are available from the Western Force Team Store (203 Underwood Ave, Floreat) or at the venue on match day.
Adults $15
Concession $10
Children (Under 16) Free
Courtesy of the a Western Force
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