FORCE NAMED FOR CAPITAL CLASH WITH THE BRUMBIES

Jul 10 • General News, Super Rugby • 2091 Views • Comments Off on FORCE NAMED FOR CAPITAL CLASH WITH THE BRUMBIES

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