McMeniman back for Chiefs clash

 

McMeniman, who travelled to New Zealand last week but was not named in the matchday squad for his team's 31-29 win over the Highlanders, will make his return to the field after recovering from a back injury sustained against the Brumbies in Round Three.

 

The 22-cap Wallaby makes his comeback at blindside flank in a backrow re-shuffle which sees Angus Cottrell moving to eightman from number six.

 

Cottrell takes the number eight jersey from Ben McCalman, who will miss the clash after receiving a two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle in the match against the Highlanders last week.

 

The remainder of the Force pack remains unchanged, while the team will run out with the same backline that did duty in the past two matches against the Rebels and Highlanders which the Perth-based side won 32-7 and 31-29 respectively.

 

The replacements bench remains unchanged too.

 

Force head coach Michael Foley says his side is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the reigning champions.

 

"The Chiefs are the benchmark side in the competition," Foley said. 

 

"Having said that, the opportunity to play them at home in front of our supporters is exciting.

 

"The response of the team to the challenges of the last two weeks speaks volumes for the character of the group.

 

"We’re learning all the time. 

 

"Already this season our understanding of how to gain momentum, as well as our ability to remain composed when we don’t have it [the ball] has improved, Foley added.

 

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Junior Rasolea, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8  Angus Cottrell, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Hugh McMeniman, 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, March 22

Venue: nib Stadium, Perth

Kick-off: 19.00 (11.00 GMT, 00:00 Sunday, March 23, NZ time)

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)

TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)