Seymour to pull Force's strings
After sticking with the same team in their last two outings the Western Force coaching panel has made six changes to the 22 man squad that will tackle the Rebels on Sunday.
The backline has seen a significant reshuffle with Ben Seymour moving into the playmaker role for his second start in the run on side this season while David Harvey moves to fullback.
Skills and defence coach Phil Blake said the disappointing results in South Africa encouraged them to go with the combination to add some thrust and good forward momentum that was lacking in previous games.
“We’ve moved Dave (Harvey) into fullback because he’s been exposed most of the year anyhow and we feel as if he can give us a bit more stability in the back there with his kicking game,” said Blake.
“Seymour’s core skills are really suited to the way we want to play and we feel as if it’s right to give him a shot at 10 to build his experience in the role.”
After an extended period on the sidelines with injury Will Tupou is fully fit and returns to the side and will pair up with Rory Sidey in the midfield.
“It’s great to include Will in the side after he’s had a long layoff with injury and he’s been playing some great rugby at club level and we’ve brought Rory in off the bench so we’ll be expecting a big impact from those two in getting some good forward play,” Blake said.
The back row has seen a reshuffle with Ben McCalman making his return to the No.8 jersey after recovering from an arm injury aggravated during the game against the Stormers. Two time club fairest and best player Matt Hodgson has slotted back into the blindside flank role with Richard Brown rested to recover from a knock to the knee sustained in the game against the Sharks.
Nick Cummins will also miss this week’s game with a quadriceps strain but Blake expects both to be available for selection next week.
“We decided that the boys had to complete the training session today to be considered for Sunday and neither was able to meet the requirement but they should be back challenging their teammates for their positions for the next game.”
The last time these sides met the Rebels made an explosive start and despite an impressive comeback from the Force they held on for a one point victory.
Blake said the side will contest the game from the opening whistle and will look to put pressure on the Victorian side at the set piece.
“We’ve tried to bring the backs in over the past three or four weeks, and they’ve got a lot more carries and they’re getting a lot more confidence and what we showed at the back 60 minutes against Melbourne before is that if we can contest in the forwards, get them to set piece and put pressure on there that will hold us in good stead for the result that we’re looking for.’
Western Force: 15 David Harvey, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Salesi Manu, 17 Elvis Taione, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Alfie Mafi.
Date: Sunday, May 20
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 14:35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina), Johan Hoffman (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
