No Pocock for the Force
The Western Force have suffered a major setback with the loss of skipper David Pocock for their Super Rugby clash with the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.
Pocock is out with a groin injury and misses the match, which opens the door for veteran lock Nathan Sharpe to captain the team once again.
The Force will also be without their other experienced flank Matt Hodgson, who is ruled out with an ankle injury sustained against the Brumbies last weekend.
Without Pocock and Hodgson the back row is an unusual combination of Angus Cottrell, Lachlan McCaffery and Richard Brown.
The other changes see ex-Blues centre Winston Stanley earn his call-up to face his former side, and Brett Sheehan return to start at scrumhalf in place of Josh Holmes.
Stanley, who played six matches for the Blues between 2009 and 2011, says he's excited about the prospect of facing his former teammates.
"I'm really looking forward to this one – it's a big challenge for the team and for me personally," he said.
"There's been a bit of banter with the Blues guys but I'm trying to keep it pretty low key. I'd rather go out there and let my performance do the talking. For me, coming back into the [Force] team, it's about just getting out there and doing the things I know I do well and hope that helps get the result."
The Force also have a number of changes on the bench, where former Fijian Warriors representative Anare Koliavu joins prop Ruan Smith and lock Ollie Atkins. All three players could make their Super Rugby debuts f called on during the match.
Hooker Ben Whittaker has been called into the match day 22 replacing Elvis Taione, while Australian Under-20 flyhalf Kyle Godwin will make his first appearance in the Force squad since returning from the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa last month.
"This is a massive opportunity for the guys coming into the squad – not just for this week but possibly next week and moving forward beyond that," Force defence and skills coach Phil Blake said.
"Each player that takes the field for us in the next fortnight needs to get something out of it – not just for the team but individually as well as part of their education for next year."
Force: 15 Alfie Mafi, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Lachlan McCaffery, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Manu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Ollie Atkins, 19 Anare Koliavu, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kyle Godwin, 22 Patrick Dellit.
Date: Saturday, July 7
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
