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Western Force stay consistent for showdown with Reds
By Online Editors
Head Coach Tim Sampson has made two changes to the starting line-up as the Western Force prepare to take on the Queensland Reds at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.
Queensland-born hooker Andrew Ready has been promoted to the run-on XV after some impressive performances off the bench in recent matches, including a try the last time the two sides met. This will be the former Reds player’s first start of the Super Rugby AU campaign.
Veteran hooker Heath Tessmann returns to the squad for the first time during the Super Rugby AU season.
The second change sees lock Ollie Atkins promoted to the starting line-up after being on the bench last week. Atkins replaces Fergus Lee-Warner who has been moved to flank in the place of Henry Stowers, who is being rested.
With Atkins at right lock and the luxury of moving the versatile Lee-Warner to the side of the scrum, the Force will have three primary jumpers and more lineout options. It will also ensure help at the breakdown with the hard-working Lee-Warner expected to bring his customary strong carrying game to the contest.
Jake Strachan maintains his spot at fullback following a fine Man of the Match display against the Waratahs in his Super Rugby AU debut.
Wallaby Nick Frisby returns to the match day squad as reserve scrumhalf after missing last week’s match with a broken nose, while Henry Taefu is also back into the side.
Western Force: Jake Strachan, Byron Ralston, Kyle Godwin, Richard Kahui, Brad Lacey, Jono Lance, Ian Prior, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Ollie Atkins, Jeremy Thrush, Kieran Longbottom, Andrew Ready, Pekahou Cowan. Reserves: Heath Tessman, Chris Heiberg, Tom Sheminant, Johan Bardoul, Ollie Callan, Nick Frisby, Jack McGregor, Henry Taefu.
- Western Force Rugby
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There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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