MELBOURNE REBELS v WESTERN FORCE FRIDAY, MARCH, 1st
Star Rebels recruit Taniela Tupou has been promoted to the starting lineup as the men from Melbourne try to make amends for their round one loss.
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin, Rob Leota (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, David Feliuai, Matt Proctor, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Isaac Kailea, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Jake Strachan, Nick Jooste
The Western Force will welcome back captain Jeremy Williams for Friday night’s Super Round game against the Melbourne Rebels as one of three changes to the team.
Newly appointed skipper Williams returns to lead the Force for the first time after missing Round 1 due to head injury protocols, in a welcome boost to the Force lock stocks, with Feleti Kaitu’u and Ryan Coxon also added to the 23-man team.
Marley Pearce (suspension), Titi Nofoagatotoa and Ben Funnell [former Crusader]make way from the Round 1 side that lost to the Hurricane
The Force have also signed former Chiefs and Crusaders prop Ryan Coxon on an injury cover contract.
Coxon will start at loosehead in place of the suspended Marley Pearce.
Lock Williams and prop Coxon will both start, while hooker Kaitu’u is named among the reserves.
FORCE (1-15): Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Thomas Franklin, Michael Wells, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey
RESERVES: Feleti Kaitu’u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tim Anstee, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, George Poolman
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, James Doleman
It is only Round 2, but already this feels like a must-win game for both teams. The Rebels were awful last week against the Brumbies and questions are already being raised about the team’s capacity to compete with everything that is going on off the field. The Force, at least showed some fight in the second-half but they were so completely outclassed in the first 40 that it’s clear coach Simon Cron has a heap of work still to do with this team. Melbourne will be boosted by Taniela Tupou’s inclusion in the run-on side after coming off the bench, while one-Test All Blacks centre Matt Proctor is another big addition in what will be his first match for the franchise. Look for Carter Gordon to bounce back after a forgettable first outing for 2024, while Jeremy Williams plays his first game for the Force since he was announced as skipper. A tight contest looms, but the Rebels appear to have just that little bit more attack in their game at this point, providing they cut out a lot of the self-inflicted errors of last week.
PREDICTION. Again both sides need a win, and I am going for the Rebels here by 5 points. And I will let you in to a little secret. Don’t tell anyone. The Rebels will be gone in 2024,and who will replace them? WHO? Well I will put good money on the Jaguares side from Argentina re entering the comp. Keep it quiet and see if I am wrong. I have good spies. Really good spies!!!
Watch here for game 3, Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua
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