Force name powerful team for Rebels clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Tim Sampson has named a powerful starting XV to take on the Melbourne Rebels this Friday.
There are only slight positional shuffles within the squad, with Fergus Lee-Warner moving to the back row at No.6 and Ryan McCauley set to make his first start for the Force.
Brynard Stander will again lead the side as run-on captain, with halves pairing Tomás Cubelli and Jake McIntyre maintaining their starting places following the win over the Waratahs in Sydney last week.
New signing Sitaleki Timani is set to mark his return to the Force where he began his career, with the Wallabies lock named in the matchday 23.
Promising young Australian hooker Jack Winchester returns to the matchday squad, with Samoan World Cup international centre Henry Taefu and versatile back Jack McGregor also named on the bench and set to make their first Super Rugby appearance of the season.
Sampson noted consistency as a key factor for this week’s team selection.
“It’s important to have continuity. Everyone contributed greatly last week, especially in terms of their composure and calmness on the field,” Sampson explained.
“It was a polished performance from the halves pairing and to have a very similar run-on XV is great.
“The Rebels are a physical side, so it’s important that everyone sticks to their roles. We’ve got intelligent players throughout the squad with a great balance of youth and experienced players that complement each other.”
Western Force: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Tevita Kuridrani. 12 Richard Kahui, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Brynard Stander (captain), 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ryan McCauley, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Jack Winchester, 17 Angus Wagner, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Henry Taefu, 23 Jack McGregor.
Date: Friday, March 12
Venue: HBF Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 17.45 (20.45 AEDT; 09.45 GMT)
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Brett Cronan
TMO: Kyle Burnett
