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Western Force lose Wallaby hooker ahead of NZ tour

(Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

The Western Force are set to replace one Wallabies hooker with another for their Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Highlanders in Invercargill.

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Folau Fainga’a is expected to enter the 12-day concussion protocols after copping a knock to the head in Saturday night’s 21-18 after-the-siren win over Moana Pasifika.

The Force will assess him again before a final diagnosis is made.

But his expected absence will be offset by the likely return of Feleti Kaitu’u, who is in the final stages of his return from a minor hamstring injury.

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“Folau took a shoulder to the head, which I think was a HIA, so that’s why he didn’t come back on,” Force coach Simon Cron said.

“I believe it’d be 12 days (that he’s ruled out). Nine times out of 10 (that’s the case), but it hasn’t been confirmed yet.

“We’ll let that pan out and see what happens.

“But if he has problems or it’s in the best interests of him for us to look after him, then obviously we’ve got Feleti in the background now, who’s just built back (with running loads on Saturday).”

Force captain Michael Wells and lock Jeremy Williams are set to return from concussion for the start of the NZ tour, which will take in games against the Highlanders on Sunday, Blues and Hurricanes.

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The Force are 2-1 after posting home wins over the Melbourne Rebels and Moana either side of an embarrassing 71-20 loss to the Reds.

Although the Force got the much-needed victory against Moana via an after-the-siren penalty from Bryce Hegarty, Cron wasn’t happy with the performance.

“I think that we did a lot of things that we shouldn’t have, and we could have applied a lot more pressure and built into that game a lot better,” Cron said.

“I made it pretty clear to the backs that if we chip it again that I might make it onto the field and take them off myself, so I think the message was pretty clear.”

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And it seems the players weren’t satisfied with their performance either.

“We talk a lot about being process versus outcome driven. So ignoring the score, process wise in terms of catch-pass, running lines, not offloading, not chipping the ball away – the players ranked themselves on-field quite low in that area,” he said.

“It was under five out of 10.

“I would agree with that. The good news there is it gives us a lot of upside.”

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M
Mzilikazi 46 minutes ago
Matt Faessler: ‘To be involved in a home World Cup would be just next level’

Thanks for the article, Brett. I must say I am disappointed that the Reds have lost both games against the two top teams from NZ they have played so far this year. I feel they should be more advanced under Les Kiss and his coaching team in what is now the second year of tenure.


The lineout, which you highlight in the article, is an obvious standout. Matt Faessler is shaping as a standout finisher of mauls, but that ability is wasted if the throw/lift/catch element is a shambles.


Also very disappointing so often is the ability to spread the ball wide using the “out the back” type passes well. Just watch Scotland, even currently weak Wales, to see the level of sophistication in this area that can be achieved.


In the final analysis, the breakdown work is not as good as all the NZ sides achieve with apparent ease. Their scrum halves so often have an “armchair ride” compared to our 9’s, who deal with slow and often scrappy ball. And I would say this applies to all our Australian sides, not only the Reds.


Not being one eyed on Qld, I am also disappointed to see the Waratahs not performing as one would have hoped, given the strength of their roster now. Ofc, one must also look at the injury toll effect on all teams.


And there is no question, on the positive side of this years competition, how very competitive all teams can be on their day. Mona Pacifica are looking more than just competitive now, but the Highlanders are are much better team than last year, as are the Force.


I find the background bits on players great reading always. and your recounting of Matt Faessler’s grandfather’s exploits is just up my street. Keep writing for us, please !!

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