Force v Chiefs: Teams
The Force were dealt a huge blow after it emerged that fly-half James Stannard will be sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury.
Last Updated: 05/04/12 12:14pm
The Western Force will be without fly-half James Stannard for six weeks after he sustained an ankle injury.
Stannard hobbled off in the first half of last week's win over the Reds and will be replaced by Ben Seymour for Friday's Super Rugby clash against the Chiefs.
The 21-year-old played for 65 minutes after Stannard was forced off the Perth pitch and his promotion is the only change to the Force's starting line-up.
Former Waratahs and Brumbies scrum-half Josh Holmes is named on the bench after signing with the Force for the rest of the season with outside back Patrick Dellit replacing Kyle Godwin will in the reserves.
Force coach Richard Graham said it had been reassuring to have consistency in the early rounds as it offered stability.
"Fortunately we've had all those blokes training through pre-season and they are very familiar with what we are trying to do," he said.
"That was shown last week when Benny came on. He guided the side nicely and he'll enter this game with some confidence.
"Benny kicks the ball very well, is quick so he's able to challenge the line and his ability to shift the ball to a different point in attack will continue to give us some width in the game."
Two changes
The Chiefs are only two points behind overall leaders the Stormers and equal first in the New Zealand conference.
Coach Dave Rennie has made one change to the back division and another to the forward pack that beat the Waratahs last week.
Mahonri Schwalger and Lelia Masaga are recalled to the starting line-up for the first in a three-match tour of South Africa.
At hooker, Schwalger replaces Hika Elliot who drops to the bench while Masaga is promoted from the bench at the expense of winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma, who drops out of the matchday 22 completely.
Jackson Willison fills the spot among the replacements that was previously occupied by Masaga.
"We are fortunate enough to be able to turn out a team similar to last week, with a few guys getting their opportunities like Mo and Lelia. It is a tough tour and in the end we know the depth of our squad will be tested," commented Rennie.
Western Force: 15 David Harvey, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Alfie Mafi, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Josh Homes, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Patrick Dellit.
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Lelia Masaga , 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick , 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Jackson Willison.
