SUPER RUGBY,ROUND 9, APRIL 22nd, 2023 OTAGO HIGHLANDERS v WESTERN FORCE
HBF PARK,PERTH
FORCE (1-15):
Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells (c), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Toni Pulu, Chase Tiatia
RESERVES: Feleti Katiu’u, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Rahboni Vosayaco, Ian Prior, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman
Western Force head coach Simon Cron has made four changes to his starting XV to take on the Highlanders at HBF Park on Saturday night.
Captain Michael Wells returns after three weeks on the sideline with an Achilles tendon strain.
Bryce Hegarty is fit and back in the mix, named at flyhalf for his third match at home. Consistent back pain ruled him out for the last three matches.
Toni Pulu is back after a knee injury but after his try-of-the-year contender in last week’s match against the Waratahs, Zack Kibirige is ruled out with hamstring soreness.
Felix Kalapu returns to the starting XV at lock, linking up with Jeremy Williams.
HIGHLANDERS (1-15):
Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermain Ainsley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Will Tucker, Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon (c), Marino Mikaele Tu’u, James Arscott, Mitch Hunt, Jonah Lowe, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert
RESERVES: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Fabian Holland, Sean Withy, Nathan Hastie, Freddie Burns, Josh Timu
Meanwhile, the bye break has allowed Freddie Burns, Fabian Holland, Connor Garden-Bachop, Will Tucker, Mitch Hunt and Josh Timu vital time to overcome injuries and they will bolster a Highlanders side beaten by the Hurricanes last time out.
Coach Clarke Dermody gets a few players coming back but unfortunate they had to leave Aaron Smith and Josh Dickson at home for personal reasons and also Folau Fakatava for illness.
It’s a rare starting berth for James Arscott at nine and a home coming of sorts for young halfback Nathan Hastie named on the bench. He spent his formative years playing in Perth before his family moved to New Zealand when he was a teenager.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Angus Mabey
PREDICTION.
Both sides are capable of winning this game with the Force at home and improving every game. The Highlanders have two inexperienced halfbacks and plenty of pressure will be on them. I am going to back the Kiwi side, but only just I think, so I reckon Highlanders by 5 points.
Read this too
Comments