Western Force coach Michael Foley insists a tight schedule left him with little choice but to select a weakened side for Wednesday night’s rugby clash with the British and Irish Lions in Perth.
The Force will be missing a host of their best players for the tour match, with the likes of five-eighth Sias Ebersohn, fullback Jayden Hayward, prop Pek Cowan, in-form centre Kyle Godwin, hooker Heath Tessmann, lock Sam Wykes and winger Pat Dellit all left out of the team.
In addition, Nick Cummins and Ben McCalman couldn’t be considered due to Wallabies commitments, while lock Hugh McMeniman is still on the comeback trail from a shoulder injury.
In their place are a host of uncapped players at Super Rugby level, with most of those drafted into the squad from club ranks.
Winger Corey Brown and centre Chris Tuatara-Morrison have been handed starts, while Hugh Roach, Sione Kolo, Tim Metcher, Ben Matwijow and Nick Haining will sit on the bench.
The Lions dismantled the Barbarians 59-8 in Hong Kong on Saturday, and are expected to rack up a similar scoreline against an inexperienced Force line-up.
But Foley defended his team selections, saying he had to juggle his squad to make sure he still had enough players for Sunday’s encounter with the NSW Waratahs in Perth.
“When you suggest not putting every effort into the first game, I think that’s pretty insulting to the guys taking the field,” Foley said.
“We think this is the best team for this game in light of the fixture list we’ve been given.
“Realistically, we weren’t going to be able to meet the challenge and do it justice by picking the same 22 guys twice.
“Player welfare is a significant factor that needs to be considered when you make these decisions.
“Is it worth putting a player at risk?
“Ideally you would like a week between games rather than four days.”
The Force will unleash a strong back-row against the Lions, while their halves pairing of Brett Sheehan and Sam Norton-Knight also have the potential to cause some damage.
But the majority of their backline consists of fringe players unproven in Super ranks, with the Lions sure to capitalise on their inexperienced opponents.
The Force outfit still contains six Test players, with No.8 Richard Brown, skipper Matt Hodgson, scrumhalf Alby Mathewson, Norton-Knight, Sheehan and prop Salesi Ma’afu all boasting experience at international level.
Force: Sam Christie, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ed Stubbs, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Corey Brown, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson (capt), Angus Cottrell, Phoenix Battye, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma’afu, James Hilterbrand, Salesi Manu. Res: Hugh Roach, Sione Kolo, Tim Metcher, Ben Matwijow, Lachlan McCaffrey, Alby Mathewson, Nick Haining, Junior Rasolea.
Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Manu Tuilagi, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Tom Croft, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Cole, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Res: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Toby Faletau, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Owen Finegan believes that the Brumbies have a strong chance to finish in the top two following breaking their 15-year drought over the Crusaders.…
Outgoing Waratahs coach Darren Coleman says he’s “sorry and embarrassed” that he couldn’t lead the Super Rugby franchise to more success, but the affable…
'I think he was given the rough end of the stick.' Matt Toomua and Christy Doran discuss the decision for Darren Coleman to depart…
Suliasi Vunivalu has received a one-match ban for his double trips in the Queensland Reds loss to Fijian Drua. The Wallabies winger was handed…
The brief was to examine why an Australian franchise either can or can’t win this season’s Super Rugby Pacific title. That’ll come as a…
Kurtley Beale says he would love to play for the Wallabies again, and knows his golden ticket could be earned by guiding the Western…
