Hurricanes
45
Match Complete
Western Force
42
| 86 |  | J. Strachan | ||
| 84 |  | Z. Kibirige | ||
| 79 | | J. Strachan | ||
| 78 | | J. Strachan | ||
| 70 | | J. Strachan | ||
| 70 | | S. Amone | ||
| J. Barrett | | 67 | ||
| H. Faiva | | 66 | ||
| 63 | | G. Simpson | ||
| 63 | | Z. Kibirige | ||
| J. Barrett | | 60 | ||
| K. Naholo | | 59 | ||
| 57 | | G. Simpson | ||
| 56 | | G. Simpson | ||
| B. Sullivan | | 47 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 32 | ||
| B. Iose | | 31 | ||
| D. Coles | | 19 | ||
| 10 | | G. Simpson | ||
| 9 | | J. Williams | ||
| J. Barrett | | 6 | ||
| B. Iose | | 5 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 3 | ||
| D. Kirifi | | 2 |
| 7 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Force are heading into their third clash in a row on New Zealand soil and it will not get easier against the red-hot Hurricanes in Wellington. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 1.35pm AEST.
The Force on paper have done the small things right, won their own set-piece, tackled above 85% and have scored points when opportunities have presented themselves. But you only need to watch their game to see it is moving robotically as though everyone knows where they are going but if things change it is a huge spanner in the works.
Head coach Simon Cron will be hoping the time away together can build the cohesion needed to smoothen out the rough edges, he will see this as another opportunity to make a statement about his side’s trajectory.
The Force have not escaped the competitions injury run with Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a and Force captain Michael Wells ruled out of the side’s final match on tour.
Fainga’a is suffering from Achilles heel soreness hence ruling him out, while Ollie Callan returns at openside flanker with Tim Anstee and Rahboni Vosayaco forming the backrow. Wallaby Tom Robertson also returns at loose-head prop after his concussion against the Highlanders.
Englishman Gareth Simpson and young-gun Hamish Stewart will command a settled backline with journeyman Bryce Hegarty returning via the bench after a late withdrawal last week due to back spasms.
“We’ve been watching Gareth now for some time; one thing that was obvious in the ‘A’ games is that he’s an excellent leader,” coach Simon Cron said.
“We’ve had a lot of changes forced upon us through injury. Therefore, one of the things we’re trying to do this week is to keep as many combinations as we can together.”
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland is expecting a physical battle.
“They always have massive intent and massive physicality, and I think with their coaching set up this year, they’re definitely playing a pretty good style of footy,” said Holland.
Holland has named a side with a few key names on the bench or having a well-earned rest. Exciting talent Bailyn Sullivan gets his first start of the season with fellow flyer Kini Naholo set to come off the bench. If things get tight at Sky Stadium expect Holland to bring on Peter Lakai and Cameron Roigard for some serious impact.
The Force will need to transition into their defensive shape much quicker than last week as try scoring machine Salesi Rayasi looms large.
Game information
Venue: Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Kick-off: 1.35pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Hurricanes $1.06, Force $10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Hurricanes (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Dominic Bird, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Brett Cameron, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey.
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, TK Howden, Peter Lakai, Cameron Roigard, Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo.
Force: Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Rahboni Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson (c), Hamish Stewart, Toni Pulu, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu’u, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Jackson Pugh, Issak Fines, Bryce Hegarty, George Poolman
Referee: Paul Williams
savant
Roar Rookie
Does anyone know how bad Stewart’s injury is?
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Problem with a few oz sides that defence been optional
ols
Roar Pro
When was the last time any Aussie side put six on a Kiwi team?
ScottD
Roar Guru
To be honest, they looked completely knackered in the last 5 mins. I think the Force are just super fit and are regularly outplaying opposition's in the last 15 mins.
ScottD
Roar Guru
The Force will be disappointed with their NZ tour. 3 games could have been two wins and absolutely should be coming home with more than a single bonus point. What a crazy game. Who would have expected 5 tries to 1 in the first 50 mins against the Force and then 5 tries to 2 for them in the last 30 mins.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yep. Given its his first game at 10 for the Force he was really impressive. That will give Cron some comfort (and selection headaches) heading into the next part of the season.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
When was the last time the Force scored six tries against a Kiwi team?
piru
Roar Rookie
He should be ahead of Hodge on form last year But no one wants to hear that
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
WBs Piru? I honestly don’t know how he rates, but he looked good today.
TC
Roar Rookie
Piru no Problems..Will definitely check out the finish..Teams seem to improve when I'm not Watching :laughing:
piru
Roar Rookie
We're working on it. we had a good number of new recruits and then we got axed and had to start again.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Very strong showing by the Force. Didn’t drop their heads. Kept their shape. Easy to like where they’re going.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Feature since our inception :unhappy:
piru
Roar Rookie
Mate I've been shouting his praises for three years now! Not sure why we don't show more faith in him
ScottD
Roar Guru
I didn’t realise how good a player Strachan was. Nor how versatile (sorry Piru, you did tell us). He should be really happy with his own game. Great finish from the Force (yet again). They smashed the Canes in the last 30 mins but the feature of the season has been allowing teams to get too far ahead early.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes, as almost a neutral, I come here for a rugby contest mainly. Want to see a contest, not selective technical interpretations.
piru
Roar Rookie
Think we'll definitely be stronger as a team after this tour. Looking forward to some home games!
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Credit to force for 2nd half but concerns without the force remain of lacking that next level wallaby quality level talent..great they have recruited 3 English players of quality but they all likely remain temporary and will return to uk. Improved recruiting has to be the priority for some more sticky long term talent. Hopefully Cron has plans for that which will address these shortcomings
Bluesfan
It's a poor quality game when 87 points are scored. Hurricanes seemed to treat it like a training run and paid for it in the end, have to say playing couple of U20 Players will pay off in the coming years and obviously bonus of resting likes of Savea. For the Force - showed real guts and quality - won't win anything this year but showing loads of guts and never say die attitude.
piru
Roar Rookie
Oh sorry misread what you were saying. Apologies. Look up that last try on highlights