Fifty up for Force's Ebersohn

   

Ebersohn reaches the 50-match mark after joining the Western Force as foreign developing player ahead of the 2013 season from the Cheetahs. 

 

The left-footed super boot has returned 103 points in his 19 matches so far for the Western Australian side, after he contributed 220 points in 30 Super Rugby games for the Cheetahs.   

   

The match will also mark the milestone game for hooker Nathan Charles who will play his 50th Super Rugby match for the Force.

 

Charles records his half-century after originally joining the Western Force as an injury replacement during the 2010 season. 

 

After making his debut against the Stormers that year, Charles has since gone on to become the second most-capped hooker for the Force behind inaugural no.2 Tai McIsaac (52 matches).      

 

"This weekend marks Nathan and Sias’ 50th matches," said Force head coach Michael Foley. 

 

"Both players have faced tough challenges over the last 12 months – Nathan recovering  from a knee reconstruction and Sias relocating to a new country – and it is a credit to both of them that during that time, they’ve been able to make significant improvements in their performances."

 

Eighthman Ben McCalman, who returns from a two-week suspension he received after making a dangerous tackle in his side's 31-29 win over the Highlanders, has been named at the back of the Force scrum, while Angus Cottrell reverts to the blindside flank in the only change to the Force line-up.

 

Saturday’s encounter will also mark winger Luke Morahan’s first return to Suncorp Stadium since leaving the Reds to join the Force for the 2014 season. 

 

Morahan, who played five seasons for the Brisbane-based side, will again team up with winger Nick Cummins and fullback Jayden Hayward in the Force back three.

 

Foley says his side is ready to resume their Super Rugby campaign following the bye.

 

"The bye week has allowed the team to rest and refocus on our next four-match block of the competition," Foley said.

 

"On the back of a lot of hard work by the boys, there’s a growing belief in each other and how we’re playing. Importantly, we’re demonstrating greater composure and resilience when things aren’t going to plan, which is a key characteristic of successful teams," Foley added.

 

Western Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Solomoni Rasolea, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.

Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Marcel Brache.

 

Date: Saturday, April 5

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT; 17.40 AWST)

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ian Smith (Australia)

TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)