WYKES LEADS FORCE IN 10TH SEASON OPENER
Lock Sam Wykes will captain the Western Force when the side opens its 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby campaign – the club’s 10th in the competition – against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 15 February.
The 26-year-old will become the ninth player to lead the Force in Asteron Life Super Rugby, a responsibility he takes on in the absence of Matt Hodgson, who will be sidelined until after the Week Eight bye with a hamstring injury.
Wykes, who will team up with Adam Coleman in the second row, will pack down behind the club’s all-Wallaby front row of Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles and Tetera Faulkner, with Cowan in line to equal Nathan Sharpe’s 92 matches for the Western Force – second only to Hodgson, who has played 113 matches for the club.
Chris Alcock, whose 2014 season was limited to just three matches due to a shoulder injury, makes his return to the starting XV to line up alongside Ben McCalman and Angus Cottrell in the back row.
In the backline, Kyle Godwin will make his first start in the ‘13’ jersey in Asteron Life Super Rugby having previously run on at inside centre in 24 of his 27 matches. He will team up with Junior Rasolea in the centres – the ninth time the pair have started in the midfield together at this level.
In the halves, Alby Mathewson and Sias Ebersohn will renew their partnership, while Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan and Dane Haylett-Petty will form the Western Australian back three.
On the bench, lock/flanker Steve Mafi is in line for his first appearance in Asteron Life Super Rugby after joining the Western Force from UK club, the Leicester Tigers.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is looking forward to kicking off its 2015 season this weekend.
“Playing the champions at their home is a good test for us first up,” he said. “Having pushed each other day after day throughout the pre-season, the boys are keen to get the season started.
“Sam will lead the team and while Pek, Ben and Alby will support him, every player understands the significance of performing their roles for each other.”
The Western Force will depart for Sydney on Friday.
2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Week One
NSW Waratahs v Western Force
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Kick-off: 4.05pm (local)/1.05pm (AWST)
1. Pekahou Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Sam Wykes (c)
5. Adam Coleman
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Chris Alcock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Sias Ebersohn
11. Marcel Brache
12. Solomoni Jnr Rasolea
13. Kyle Godwin
14. Luke Morahan
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann
17. Francois van Wyk
18. Oliver Hoskins
19. Steve Mafi**
20. Brynard Stander
21. Ian Prior
22. Zack Holmes
23. Luke Burton
** denotes Western Force/Super Rugby debut
Related Posts
« Referees to target four key areas to improve flow of game Sharks announce their team for Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs »
