Stanley aims to prove his point
Western Force centre Winston Stanley has a point to prove against the Blues in tomorrow's Super Rugby clash in Auckland.
He is relishing the prospect of taking on the 104kg wrecking ball that is All Black midfielder Ma'a Nonu even though he is conceding 10kg to the veteran of 66 Tests and 120 Super matches.
"I'm looking forward to playing well in front of my family and friends," said Stanley, who was discarded by the Blues.
"There's nothing personal but I am pretty motivated for it.
"It will be awesome coming up against Ma'a. He's someone I've always looked up to. He's a real handful and it's difficult to defend against him, but I'll be giving it a crack. I just need to go hard."
Stanley was hoping to come up against older brother Benson for the first time but he is being rested after suffering concussion.
Both teams, who have had disappointing seasons and will finish near the foot of the Super table, have made a number of changes because of injury.
The Force have reshaped their back row after losing captain David Pocock and fellow Wallaby Matt Hodgson.
Angus Cottrell returns at openside after recovering from a dislocated elbow and No.8 Lachlan McCaffery is promoted to the starting side. Brett Sheehan returns at scrum-half.
There are three uncapped Super forwards on the bench, Anara Koliavu, prop Ruan Smith and second-rower Ollie Atkins.
Hooker Ben Whittaker replaces Elvis Taione and Australian under-20s fly-half Kyle Godwin will makes his first appearance since returning from the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa last month. Nathan Sharpe resumes the captaincy.
Force coach Phil Blake said there was a huge opportunity for players coming into the side.
"Not just for this week but possibly next week and moving forward beyond that," he said.
"As for Winston, there's nothing better than coming back and playing against a team you're familiar with and have mates with in the opposition. This will be a good test for him and I know he's looking forward to it."
All Blacks scrum-half Piri Weepu is back in one of four changes to the Blues' run-on side.
Weepu won a battle with his weight to be included in the All Blacks squad for last month's series against Ireland and played all three Tests as a substitute.
Weepu gets the No.9 jersey ahead of Alby Mathewson, who drops to the bench.
"Piri is back from an All Black campaign and his experience will certainly help us," coach Pat Lam said yesterday.
Keven Mealamu returns to lead the side for the first time in almost three months, NZ Sevens star Charles Piutau makes his debut at full-back and Andrew Van der Heijden comes into the second row.
TEAMS AND FIXTURES *
Western Force: *Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles, Salesi Manu, Toby Lynn, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Richard Brown, Angus Cottrell, Lachlan McCaffery, Brett Sheehan, Ben Seymour, Napolioni Nalaga, Winston Stanley, Will Tupou, Nick Cummins, Alfie Mafi. *Reserves *: Ben Whittaker, Ruan Smith, Ollie Atkins, Anare Koliavu, Josh Holmes, Kyle Godwin, Patrick Dellit.
Blues *: Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tevita Mailau, Liaki Moli, Andrew Van der Heijden, Steven Luatua, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Piri Weepu, Michael Hobbs, Rene Ranger, Ma'a Nonu, Francis Saili, Lachie Munro, Charles Piutau. *Reserves *: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta'avao, Chris Lowrey, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Orene Ai'I, Hadleigh Parkes.
Today *: Chiefs v Crusaders;
Reds v Highlanders
Tomorrow *: Blues v Western Force; Waratahs v Brumbies; Cheetahs v Stormers;
Lions v Rebels; Sharks v Bulls
