Hurricanes v Force: Teams

Hurricanes have omitted second row Jason Eaton from the match-day 22 on disciplinary grounds for the visit of injury-ravaged Force.

Bryn Evans is promoted from the bench and will start alongside James Broadhurst, a draft pick who will be making his debut.

Winger Hosea Gear has been ruled out for between four and six weeks following surgery to repair torn knee cartilage he picked up in Friday's triumph over Blues.

David Smith comes in on the left flank in an otherwise unchanged back line, while Rodney So'oialo is back on the bench as he nears the end of a weight-gain regime.

"Jason broke team protocols and I'm pretty hard on team protocols," said a disappointed coach Colin Cooper. "You break it and that's the consequence. It costs you your jersey.

"James played pretty well in the pre-season and was sitting there waiting. You know what it's like in this professional game. You stuff up and it gives someone else an opportunity.

"James has got a great opportunity to say 'hey have a real good look at me for the future'."

Western Force are just about able to name a 22 following a rash of injuries.

With Cameron Shepherd, Mark Bartholomeusz, David Pocock, Richard Brown and Andre Pretorius already ruled out, Ryan Cross is the latest to be sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Coach John Mitchell has named two debutants to tackle the Hurricanes as a result, with 21-year-old flanker Ben McCalman and 21-year-old outside centre Mitch Inman named in the run-on side - Inman replacing Cross.

Sam Harris has been retained at fly-half despite his nightmare showing against the Brumbies last Friday, with James O'Connor staying at full-back.

Tom Hockings partners Nathan Sharpe in the second row with Sam Wykes shifted to number eight and Matt Hodgson to the openside.

In the front row, former Hurricanes prop Tim Fairbrother has been given a start at tighthead prop against his former team, with Matt Dunning shifting to loosehead.

"It's been a bit tricky on the whiteboard the last few days looking at situations but we have a plan and will be committed to it," Mitchell said. "We'll give it a good shake.

"The disappointing thing from the Brumbies match was that we didn't get through a lot of attack and didn't throw a lot at them. That's where we'd like to get a lot better this week.

"We were hugely impressed by the commitment and length of time that we stayed in the match to possibly have a chance to win considering the circumstances.

"We'd really like to have a real dig and throw a lot more at the Hurricanes in attack this weekend."

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Rodney So'oialo, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor.

Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Josh Tatupu, 11 Haig Sare, 10 Sam Harris, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Sam Wykes, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Tyrrell, 17 Nic Henderson, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Stefano Hunt, 22 Joelin Rapana.