The Western Force welcome back Wallabies lock Sitaleki Timani for their Round 2 Trans-Tasman match against the Highlanders on Friday night.
Timani missed the opening round match due to a leg injury.
The inclusion of Timani will give the Force plenty of confidence after they narrowly lost to the Chiefs.
It’s the only change to the lineup, although Tim Ainstee will start at number eight with Brynard Stander moved to the bench.
Tomas Cubelli will make his 50th Super Rugby appearance with a mouth-watering matchup against Aaron Smith.
Before that match, the Melbourne Rebels are in New Zealand and will be hoping for a much better performance with some big names returning including Andrew Kellaway.
Kellaway is back in the starting lineup after returning from Japan. He’ll be joined by Trevor Hosea and Isi Naisarani.
Joe Powell’s partner in the halves will be Carter Gordon and captain Matt To’omua will shift to inside centre.
On Saturday the NSW Waratahs will unveil James Turner – the 2020 Shute Shield leading try scorer. He’ll make his debut for the club and is listed to start on the wing against the Blues at Eden Park.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders will again be without captain Scott Barrett due to illness in a much-anticipated clash against the Queensland Reds. They’ll also be missing winger George Bridge who is out for the rest of season after having his appendix removed this week and a knee injury on top of that.
In contrast, the Reds welcome back seven Wallaby squad members.
All teams for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman will be announced at least 48 hours before kick-off. Keep this page bookmarked as we update it with all the team info throughout the week.
Friday, 5:05pm (AEST), Sky Stadium
Hurricanes
1. Xavier Numia, 2. Dane Coles (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Orbyn Leger, 11. Wes Goosen, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Bill Proctor, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Jordie Barrett
Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Liam Mitchell, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Gareth Evans, 22. Cam Roigard, 23. Lolagi Visinia
Rebels
1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Cabous Eloff, 4. Rob Leota, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Michael Wells, 7. Josh Kemeny, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua (c), 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. George Worth
Bench: 16. James Hanson, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Lucio Sordoni, 19. Ross Haylett-Petty, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Stacey Ili, 23. Frank Lomani
Friday, 7:45pm (AEST), HBF Park, Perth
Force
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Sitaleki Timani, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Tim Ainstee, 9. Tomás Cubelli, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Jordan Olowofela, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Kyle Godwin (c), 14. Richard Kahui, 15. Rob Kearney
Bench: 16. Andrew Ready, 17. Angus Wagner, 18. Greg Holmes, 19. Ryan McCauley, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Domingo Miotti, 23. Jake Strachan
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Ash Dixon (c), 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Bryn Evans, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Billy Harmon, 8. Hugh Renton, 9. Aaron Smith (c), 10. Mitch Hunt, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Scott Gregory, 13. Michael Collins, 14. Patelesio Tomkinson, 15. Sam Gilbert
Bench: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. Ethan De Groot, 18. Josh Hohneck, 19. Josh Dickson, 20. Kazuki Himeno, 21. Josh Ioane, 22. Ngatungane Punivai
Saturday, 2:35pm (AEST), Eden Park
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Tom Robinson (c), 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Otere Black, 11. AJ Lam, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Bryce Heem, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Mark Telea, 24. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Waratahs
1. Angus Bell, 2. David Porecki, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Hugh Sinclair, 5. Max Douglas, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Charlie Gamble, 8. Will Harris, 9. Jake Gordon (C), 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. James Turner, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Izaia Perese, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Jack Maddocks
Bench: 16. Joe Cotton, 17. Te Tera Faulkner, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Jack Whetton, 20. Jack Dempsey, 21. Carlo Tizzano
Saturday, 5:05pm (AEST), FMG Stadium
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Liam Messam, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Brad Weber (c), 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Alex Nankivell, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Chase Tiatia
Bench: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Zane Kapeli, 20. Pita Gus Sowakula, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Rameka Poihipi, 23. Kaleb Trask.
Brumbies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Mack Hansen
Saturday, 7:45pm (AEST), Suncorp Stadium
Reds
1. Dane Zander, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Liam Wright (cc), 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O’Connor (cc), 11. Jock Campbell, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Suliasi Vunivalu, 15. Bryce Hegarty
Bench: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Seru Uru, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Kalani Thomas,
22. Isaac Henry, 23. Filipo Daugunu
Crusaders
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Mitchell Dunshea, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7. Ethan Blackadder, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamati Williams, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Sione Favili Talitui, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Dallas McLoed, 23. Manasa Mataele
Stin
Roar Rookie
Disagree. His option taking is terrible. He shouldn’t take all the blame though. And I’ve been very patient. Since February. Guess I’ll be patient till next season now...
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Toomua is a has been - unless something changes quickly, he’ll not be near the test squad. Powell isn’t a current Wallaby and shouldn’t have ever been one. Don’t get me started on Hodge. Force have Cubilli, Miotti, solid centre’s in the 20’s and 2 great former internationals that can still play even if they are past their best. Whomever did the Rebels recruitment needs to find a new vocation. The money DHP and Toomua were on is/was insane.
ajhreds
This is not based on performance but based on a Player Retention Strategy to highlight when a "Prized Player" can have a Sabbatical short term overseas stint and walk back into the Wallables as a one off stint as part of their contract. Give me form Everytime - not to mention Hooper has the worst record as a Wallabies Captain, shows no respect for Referees and makes terrible decisions in terms of whether to go for a Try or take the 3. O'Connor's calmness puts him in good stead to be a good Captain and would allow us to play McWright (and have Hooper on the Bench).
ajhreds
JC - Leave Hegaty on the Bench then if you must. Jock is having to play out of postion (as a very accomplished Fullback) to accomodate a utility that struggles @ 15 by being: - constantly out of position to field kicks; - has a pop gun kick struggling to make 30 metres; - does not maximumise angles for touch kicks from penalties; - is too slow to mark up against NZ backs (particularly the back 3); and at 10 - throws terrible passes that Stewart is having to take over his shoulders. We would have a pacy back 3 if Dagunu was there. There's no room for journeymen.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thanks for the update JC.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Talent was definitely not their problem. Toomua, Powell, Hodge, Koroibete all current wallabies. Compare that talent with the western force backline who are mostly has-beens.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Thank you. He does also sometimes use heat during a session. It’s for the more intense lactic work, more so than aerobic work. Just been researching pickle juice!! Never heard of it. Worth giving a go. If it solves the problem, great.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
This article sums it up pretty well. https://www.cooperinstitute.org/2016/12/13/does-pickle-juice-relieve-muscle-cramps It sounds like you have tried everything. I would just focus on what we know is effective – gradual progressive loading in training (increase of 10% a week), maintaining strong healthy muscles, using heat on the affected muscle may settle neural firing and pickle juice. It is still a very under-studied area of physiology.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Cheers Oval, nice to know we've got some respect left for our rugby :silly:
jameswm
Roar Guru
Stronger Reds team this time! I'd swap though Daugunu and Vunivalu. I wonder if Fotuaika can come on for Zander after 30, then when (or if) Tupou goes off, shift to TH and Hoopert comes on at LH.
he drops the ball all the time.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
To quote DR, "who else?". Surely you're not thinking O'Conmor?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Harsh!
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Cohesion wasn’t their problem - talent was. They haven’t made a linebreak in 2 months. These changes are long overdue.
mused6
Roar Rookie
Your sarcasm is noted.
JC
Roar Rookie
Maddocks has actually been pretty good at times this year. He’s just lacking the confidence he had at the Rebels with experienced players around him. Be patient.
JC
Roar Rookie
Hegarty played well last week. They’ll need him if O’Connor isn’t 100%. That’s why Campbell’s on the wing.
JC
Roar Rookie
Warren-Vosayaco has a minor injury. Hopefully we see him soon.
Wallatahs
Guest
oh dear Rennie has just appointed Hooper as Wallaby captain. Absolute disgrace and a farce.
TheOvalBall
Roar Rookie
As a Brit, good luck to all the Aussie teams, you have many admirers here in the UK. Let's hope your teams get better results this week :thumbup: