SUPER RUGBY – PRE-SEASON: WESTERN FORCE V BRUMBIES
The Western Force returns to the field this Friday (23 January) for first the first time in 2015 when they take on 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby finalists, the ACT Brumbies, in the first of their two pre-season matches.
The Force will be looking to its ‘Sea of Blue’ to ‘fill the hill’ at McGillivray Oval for the family-friendly event, and have named a 31-man squad for the clash, which will provide the first opportunity for the club’s passionate supporters to see the Force in action in 2015.
Recent Wallaby squad members Tetera Faulkner and Kyle Godwin have both been named, while Nathan Charles (pectoral) and Angus Cottrell (ankle) will make their returns from long-term injury lay-offs.
The Western Force squad also features four of the club’s new recruits, with local back-rower Ross Haylett-Petty, Tongan-capped Steve Mafi, and exciting winger Mitchell Scott in line to pull on the ‘Force blue’ for the first time. Associates centre Ammon Matuauto, who impressed for the Perth Spirit during the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship, has been promoted to the Wider Training Group and has also earned his first opportunity in a Force jersey for Friday’s encounter.
The squad includes eight locally-produced players: Haylett-Petty brothers, Dane and Ross; Godwin; prop Oliver Hoskins, flanker Kane Koteka, flyhalf Zack Holmes, centre Luke Burton and winger Brad Lacey.
The Brumbies squad features eight players with international experience, including former Western Force captain, David Pocock, who is set to return from a long-term knee injury sustained early last season. The likes of Nic White, Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano, as well as excitement machines Joe Tomane and Henry Speight are have all been named in what is a star-studded backline for the Canberrans.
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. For ticket prices, see below.
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
Weather Forecast: Min: 17C Max: 30C. Partly cloudy with north westerly winds
Official Twitter hashtag: #FORvBRU
Live match updates available on Twitter (@westernforce) with half-time/full-time scores available on Facebook (facebook.com/westernforce)
2014 record:
Western Force: Played 16; Won 9, Lost 7; 40pts (8th)
Brumbies: Played 16; Won 10, Lost 6; 45pts (4th)
Western Force (squad): Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Oliver Hoskins, Francois van Wyk, Robbie Abel, Nathan Charles, Heath Tessmann , Adam Coleman, Steve Mafi, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Chris Alcock, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander, Alby Mathewson, Ian Prior, Sias Ebersohn, Zack Holmes, Marcel Brache, Brad Lacey, Luke Morahan, Mitchell Scott, Luke Burton, Kyle Godwin, Ammon Matuauto, Solomoni Rasolea, Patrick Dellit, Dane Haylett-Petty
Brumbies (squad): Nigel Ah Wong, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Fotu Auelua, Jarrad Butler, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Rod Iona, Jerome Niumata, Christian Lealiifano, Josh Mann-Rea, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Mitch Wade, Nic White.
Referee: Andrew Lees
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
Parking
Parking is available at the eastern side of UWA Sports Park, entry off Brockway Drive, and off McGillivray Road. Disabled (ACROD) car parking areas are also available behind the UWA clubrooms (entry via McGillivray Road).
