Star Wallabies flanker David Pocock will get a taste for the future when he captains the Western Force in Friday night’s Super Rugby clash with the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
Pocock, touted as a future skipper in both Super Rugby and Wallabies ranks, has been handed the Force captaincy, with veteran lock Nathan Sharpe ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Force will be missing Sharpe, James O’Connor (suspended) and winger Nick Cummins (leg) against the Rebels, paving the way for Alfie Mafi, Ben McCalman and Mitch Inman to return to the run-on side.
McCalman will join Sam Wykes in the second row, Mafi will be stationed on the wing, while Inman has been named at outside centre, with Pat Dellit switching to fullback to replace O’Connor.
Former Wallabies fullback Cameron Shepherd makes his return from knee and hamstring injuries via the bench, with five-eighth Willie Ripia joining him after recovering from a calf problem.
The Force lost to the Rebels by one point in round seven, but would be looking to return the favour on Melbourne’s home turf.
And after the Rebels won the race to secure star Wallabies back O’Connor, there was sure to be extra spice in the match.
Western Force side: Patrick Dellit, Alfie Mafi, Mitch Inman, Rory Sidey, David Smith, James Stannard, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock (capt), Matt Hodgson, Sam Wykes, Ben McCalman, Matt Dunning, Nathan Charles, Kieran Longbottom. Res: Ben Whittaker, Tetera Faulkner, Tom Hockings, Jono Jenkins, Mark Swanepoel, Willie Ripia, Cameron Shepherd.
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