Western Force to host Crusaders a fourth time at Perth in Super Rugby - Rugby Union News
Western Force will be hosting the Crusaders at Members Equity Bank Stadium on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Saturday’s game will be the first of three games that the Crusaders
will play before they go back home and meet up against the Chiefs during the round fourteen encounters.
Crusaders so far have won six of the nine games they have played in this season and will take on the Western Force after suffering a surprising defeat at the hands of
the Highlanders during last weekend’s Super Rugby encounters.
Western Force on the other hand has lost five of the nine matches they have played in the season so far. Western Force, after last weekends victory over the Bulls, will
boost their confidence as they take on the Crusaders and are strengthened by the return of several of their first choice players.
Both teams so far has played five matches with each other since the inclusion of the Force in the super rugby competitions. Force being a new comer holds an impressive
record against the seven times super rugby champions Crusaders. Out of the five games both have played, Force have won one, lost twice and drawn twice against the Crusaders.
Crusaders played their last match against the Highlanders with several second choice players. However, for the Perth’s game they will be close to their best, as most
of their key players will return to action that includes the like of All Blacks Richie McCaw. Crusaders have also brought back Kahn Fotuali'i in place of Andy Ellis. Kahn Fotuali'i scored a single try of the match when both teams played with each other during
super 14.
Force had a mix record against the Crusaders at Perth as they won, lost and draw once each in their previous three outings at Perth.
Victory over the Crusaders will set a record for Force, as they have not so far defeated super rugby champions in two back-to-back games. In order to achieve this uphill
task Force’s will be with the services of David Pocock, Matt Hodgson and winger David Smith.
Force’s victory over the Bulls and the home advantage will greatly benefit them however, Crusaders will be eager to get back on the winning streak. Force on average
has scored 24 points to the Crusaders 23 at Perth.
In all five games, Crusaders hold a definite advantage as they on average score 29 points against the Force’s 19 points per match.
Prediction: Expected is an intense on field battle however, Crusaders will end up on the winning side to secure their seventh win by 5 points.
Teams for the match are:
Western Force
Starting XV: 1. Pek Cowan, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Matt Dunning, 4. Sam Wykes, 5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 6. Richard Brown,7. David Pocock,8. Ben McCalman
,9. Brett Sheehan,10. Willie Ripia,11. David Smith,12. James O'Connor,13. Patrick Dellit,14. Nick Cummins ,15. Cameron Shepherd
Replacements:
16. Ben Whittaker,17. Kieran Longbottom ,18. Matt Hodgson,19. Tevita Metuisela,20. James Stannard,21. Rory Sidey,22. Alfie Mafi
Crusaders
Starting XV:
1. Wyatt Crockett 2. Corey Flynn 3. Ben Franks 4. Luke Romano 5. Chris Jack 6. George Whitelock 7. Matt Todd 8. Richie McCaw (c) 9. Kahn Fotuali'i 10. Matt Berquist 11. Zac Guildford 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Robbie Fruean 14. Sean Maitland 15. Israel
Dagg
Replacements:
16. Quentin MacDonald 17. Owen Franks 18. Joe Wheeler / Reuben Thorne 19. Jonathan Poff 20. Willi Heinz 21. Tom Marshall 22. Adam Whitelock
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