Western Force
21
Match Complete
Moana Pasifika
18
| B. Hegarty |  | 82 | ||
| G. Poolman |  | 60 | ||
| 55 | | L. McClutchie | ||
| B. Hegarty |  | 35 | ||
| F. Fainga'a | | 34 | ||
| 24 | | S. Moli | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 14 | ||
| 8 | | L. McClutchie | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 3 | ||
| 1 | | L. McClutchie | ||
| 0 | | F. Inisi |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Western Force are out to atone from last week’s disastrous loss when they host Moana Pasifika in the final match of Round 3. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 2pm (AEDT).
Simon Cron has made six changes to the starting side thumped by the Reds last week, although two are enforced.
Skipper Michael Wells and Jeremy Williams miss out after suffering concussions in the 71-20 loss.
Ian Prior returns to the starting line up at No.9 and takes over as vice captain with Jeremy Thrush named as skipper..
Rahboni Vosayaco will make his Force debut frokm the start with another potential debutant, Nikilao Foliaki, on the bench.
Toni Pulu is back in the mix on the left wing, after sustaining a concussion in Round 1 against the Rebels.
MP coach Aaron Mauger has made nine changes to the starting line up from last weekend in a decision that was largely injury-forced.
Michael Curry (neck), Samuel Slade (ribs) and Christian Lealiiifano (concussion) are all unavailable.
A new look starting front row combination of Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli and Suetena Asomua will run out on Saturday. Counties Manukau lock Alex McRobbie receives his first start for the year and will combine with Southland Stag Mike McKee in the second row.Advertisement
After an impressive debut last weekend, Miracle Faiilagi retains his spot at blindside flanker. Lotu Inisi will start at number eight to anchor the scrum and ‘Ikale Tahi loose forward Solomone Funaki will captain the team from the No. 7 jersey in the absence of Lealiifano.
Ereatara Enari returns to the starting line up with Manu Paea returning to the bench. The experienced halfback will combine with Lincoln McClutchie who features for the first time this year.
Danny Toala moved up from fullback in to second five and will play inside Fine Inisi in a midfield combination yet to feature for Moana Pasifika.
The wingers remain unchained with Timoci Tavatavanawai on the right and Anzelo Tuitavuki on the left. William Havili will drive the game from fullback.
A debut looks likely for lock Potu Leavasa off the bench while former Western Force midfielder Henry Taefu returns to his old club.
Game information
Venue: nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 10pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Force $1.42, Moana Pasifika $2.90 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Force (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu Jr, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Rahboni Vosayaco, Ian Prior, Bryce Hegarty, Toni Pulu Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia.
Reserves: Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Jackson Pugh, Issak Fines, Nikilao Foliaki,
George Poolman.
Pasifika (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Sueten Asomua, Alex McRobbie, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Solomone Funaki, Lotu Inisi, Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Danny Toala, Fine Inisi, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili.
Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Potu Leavasa, Jonah Mau’u, Manu Paea, Henry Taefu, Levi Aumua.
Referee: Jordan Way
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
After the WF became owned by RAu we didn’t see the Wallaby coach in the West for nearly 3 years and then only as there was a Test,
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Like the Highlanders of the Kiwi sides I just feel as if the Force are an after thought sometimes. Wonder if Eddie will make a trip out west?
Wells seems like an ok leader but doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of impact throughout a game.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Some realistic expectations are warranted: • New head coach • New coaching panel (except Oz) • 15 player changes from last season • Youngest squad the WF has had • Serious contribution to getting Wallaby eligible players back for a RWC year while keeping others in country. • Coach preparing a new game plan and players working on the skills to implement it. • Have won two games that they probably lost last year • Blooding Academy graduates from last year. All the above speak for themselves.
ScottD
Roar Guru
That too
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
Inexplicable refereeing decisions which dictated a horrible game.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
It was a scratch your head type of game. The force need to have a good hard look at themselves. To bounce back from a 50point loss with that rubbish, a lucky win with a poor travelling team is not good enough. How does a team still employ Prior, Tiatia, Thrush, Hegarty, Pulu, Mataele etc all has beens. Then top it off with players who just don't get it right consistently Faingaa (missed throws ~x6), Kuenzle etc. Just pissed off with the scraps that the Force are getting atm. Cron should be dealing with that game as if it were a loss.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Was a dour spectacle at the stadium. No one seemed to know what Jordy Wray was smoking. The force have a long season ahead, if that's the best they can do following a 50 point loss.
piru
Roar Rookie
On replay, Pugh's card for no arms would be much less galling if the ref hadn't ignored 5 or 6 grass cutting Pasifika shoulders in the phase leading up to it.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah I fixed it mate, I swear the table had the names round the wrong way. I agree with you, was just responding to the nonsense spouted up top. For some reason he considers “almost losing” (but winning) less desirable than actually losing
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Piru, it's the Brumbies that are the only Oz team ahead of your beloved Force. But consider this: Force beat Rebels; Rebels beat Tahs; Tahs beat Drua; Drua beat Crusaders. So should we expect the Force to have a comfortable win over the Crusaders? Probably not. But it shows how unpredictable the SRP is this year. I don't know how FF or anybody can make a statement like the above with such contradictory evidence and so little evidence.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Perhaps the Western Force franchise can still be useful as a practice team for training matches of other Aus SR teams. What an extraordinarily absurd comment.
piru
Roar Rookie
Thank you sir
piru
Roar Rookie
No it was a warmish day but not humid
piru
Roar Rookie
Well given that only the Brumbies are currently ahead of us on the ladder, perhaps that training’s needed for all those superior Aussie teams below us
piru
Roar Rookie
We won mate, I'm flying
Bodger
Roar Rookie
A 12 team comp in the pacific is a good number. These are two developing teams, need time.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well Piru I had a crack! You ok?
savant
Roar Rookie
Jordan Way is not SR standard. His reffing of the breakdown and the scrum was incompetent. Was it humid in Perth tonight? Both sides seem to struggle with handling. This is one of those possible turning point wins. Could be the saving of Cron. Nice to see some of the Force grit from previous years come back because it’s been missing thus far. I’m picking Vosayaco over Wells every time. Who’s playing 7 next week? Surely Callan can’t dodge a bullet 2 weeks running.
savant
Roar Rookie
Consistently inexplicable