FORCE ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR
The Western Force has announced its 26-man squad that will travel to South Africa ahead of the team’s Asteron Life Super Rugby matches against the Cheetahs and the Stormers.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley has included the match day squad that defeated the Bulls on Saturday night, and added lock Phoenix Battye, outside back Patrick Dellit and flyhalf/centre Luke Burton.
Both Dellit and Battye were a part of the Western Force squad that took on the Rebels in Melbourne a fortnight ago, while Burton re-joins the team from the Australian Under 20 squad. The 20-year-old, who is yet to make his Asteron Life Super Rugby debut, was vice-captain and starting inside centre for the national Under 20’s side that defeated Samoa Under 20’s on Wednesday. This will be Perth-born Burton’s first tour with the Western Force squad.
Foley says the two-match tour provides a significant challenge for his team.
“The Bulls provided some insight into the next block of games,” he said. “However, while we can expect more mauling and clever strategic kicking, the Cheetahs will also play with a lot of width and the Stormers are noted for their defence.
“Playing four South African sides back-to-back is a great challenge for us. The games will be physical and we will need to play with the intensity we achieved in the Waratahs and Bulls games.
“We’re pleased to welcome Phoenix and Paddy back into the squad to provide coverage in the second row and outside backs respectively.
“This is also a great opportunity for Luke to be a part of the Force touring squad for the first time. He joins us from the Australian Under 20’s camp and has earnt his selection through the hard work he’s undertaken with the squad over the last 18 months.”
The Western Force will depart on Saturday before taking on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein (Saturday, 10 May) and the Stormers at Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium on Saturday, 17 May.
2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby – South Africa Tour
Cheetahs v Western Force
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Kick-off: 5.05pm (local)/11.05pm (AWST)
Stormers v Western Force
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Kick-off: 5.05pm (local)/11.05pm (AWST)
Western Force squad
Phoenix Battye, Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nathan Charles, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Jayden Hayward, Matt Hodgson (c), Zack Holmes, Oliver Hoskins, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, Ian Prior, Brynard Stander, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heath Tessmann, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Justin Turner, Sam Wykes.
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