Izack Rodda set for first Force start this season against Highlanders

Wallaby Izack Rodda will start a Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time this season after making a successful return from injury in the Force’s historic win over the Crusaders in Perth.

Rodda, who has played more than 20 matches in Wallaby gold, came off the bench for an hour in last weekend’s historic 37-15 win over the defending champions at HBF Park.

The towering lock joins former Wallaby Sam Carter in the second row, while team captain Jeremy Williams will make a return off the pine after missing the last three matches through injury.

Wallaby Nic White will continue as captain this week.

Marley Pearce joins Tom Horton and Argentina’s Santiago Medrano in the front row, while Sam Carter and Rodda will pack down as the locking pair. Will Harris, tackle-machine Carlo Tizzano and former Maori All Black Reed Prinsep round out the forwards.

Captain Nic White joins Ben Donaldson in a familiar halves pairing, while Hamish Stewart and the talented Sam Spink are the Western Force’s midfielders for this round 10 clash.

New Zealander Chase Tiatia, Bayley Kuenzle and 95-test Wallaby veteran Kurtley Beale are the three outside backs in the run-on side.

After overcoming the Crusaders last weekend, the Western Force have an opportunity to move up at least one more place on the ladder with a win over the Highlanders.

The Dunedin-based outfit are one spot about the Force, with only two competition points separating them.

Should results go their way, the Force could move inside the top eight with a bonus point win. This match will be played at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Western Force to take on Highlanders

1. Marley Pearce
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Sam Carter
5. Izack Rodda
6. Will Harris
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Reed Prinsep
9. Nic White (c)
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Sam Spink
14. Bayley Kuenzle
15. Kurtley Beale

Replacements

16. Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Josh Bartlett
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Jeremy Williams
20. Michael Wells
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Max Burey
23. Henry O’Donnell