Force v Hurricanes: Teams

Western Force have announced an identical line-up to face the Hurricanes to the one that thrashed Reds 39-7 at the weekend.

However, coach John Mitchell knows his side will need to be at their very best to repel a New Zealand-based side brimming with talent.

The Hurricanes arrive on the back of defeat to the Sharks but with inside centre Ma'a Nonu weighing in at almost 20kg above James O'Connor, they possess serious attacking threats.

"Ma'a is a big guy, an excellent carrier of the ball and I'm well aware of that, but that's their strengths," Mitchell said.

"They have threats all over the park and Ma'a is just one of them. You have [Alby] Mathewson, [Piri] Weepu, So'oialo, [Jason] Eaton, [Andrew] Hore and they have a Test front-row. We will have to be at our very best come Friday night."

Stable

Mitchell admits he was delighted to be able to name an unchanged squad, adding: "It's good and it creates familiarisation and cohesion. It's unusual in this competition and we have had little injuries here and there.

"Naturally we have made decisions on horses for courses and based on the opposition, but it's good to keep it stable. The boys are also pleased with that."

Hurricanes will, however, have to do without fly-half Weepu, who picked up a knock in Saturday's 33-17 defeat at the Sharks.

Willie Ripia comes in at number 10 in what could prove to be the only change, with Rodney Thrush being given all the time he needs to recover from a slight knock.

Lock Bryn Evans is standing by if Thrush fails a fitness test.

Western Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 AJ Whalley, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Tamaiti Horua, 20 Chris O'Young, 21 Junior Pelesasa, 22 Haig Sare.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo (c), 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush/Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Bryn Evans/Api Naikatini, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Tamati Ellison.