Reshuffled Force ready for Rebels
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Injuries have compelled the Force to make six changes with lock Adam Coleman and scrumhalf Ian Prior making their first appearances in the starting line-up.
Coleman has started on the bench in the Force’s past five matches and earns his first opportunity in the run-on side, packing down alongside Wilhelm Steenkamp.
Prior, who has been a part of each of the Force’s match day squads in 2014, gets his first opportunity in the run-on side this season.
Wing Patrick Dellit makes his return to the Force’s back three, joining fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and Nick Cummins, who scored three tries in last weekend’s victory over the Waratahs in Perth.
The trio replaces Sam Wykes (ribs), Alby Mathewson (ankle) and Luke Morahan (hamstring), who have been ruled through injury.
Meanwhile, scrumhalf Justin Turner is in line to make his first appearance for the Western Force since the corresponding match in 2012.
His selection marks a successful comeback from a third knee reconstruction.
The driven scrumhalf has already played 10 matches for the Force between 2010 and 2012.
Lock Phoenix Battye earns his first appearance on the Force bench for 2014.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says his side is determined to back-up following last weekend’s strong performance against the Waratahs.
“While we only had approximately 30 per cent of the possession on the weekend, the boys’ outstanding attitude allowed us to attack with our defence and capitalise on opportunities that came our way,” he said.
“Playing the Rebels at their home ground will be a challenge and separately, we’re keen to keep pushing ourselves to improve aspects of our own game.”
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Patrick Dellit, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Adam Coleman, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek
Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Phoenix Battye, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison.
Date: Friday, April 18
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.40; (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
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