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Force, Waratahs keep teams under wraps

Force’s Hugh McMeniman has made a quicker-than-expected return from a shoulder reconstruction and could play on Sunday. Pic: Getty Images

Western Force and the NSW Waratahs will be spoken to by Super Rugby governing body SANZAR after failing to abide by new protocol governing the lodging of teams for Sunday's clash in Sydney.

Teams had to be lodged by 2pm yesterday, but Force coach Michael Foley supplied a squad, while the Waratahs left two reserves spots undecided.

A SANZAR spokesman said the issue would be discussed with the clubs.

It is understood South African teams that opened the competition last weekend did not lodge their teams on time.

Foley may know the make-up of the team that will run on to Allianz Stadium, but is playing his cards close to his chest and left nine positions publicly undecided.

The final team will not be known until just before kick-off.

He had always planned to take a non-playing reserve to Sydney and has named a 24-man squad.

Foley has pencilled in both marquee signing and emerging Springbok Wilhelm Steenkamp and Wallaby Hugh McMeniman, who made a surprise early return from a shoulder reconstruction in last week's trial match, for the No.5 jumper.

It is an indication McMeniman may not be fully match fit and will come from the bench in the second half.

Foley has named two complete front rows, five back-rowers, two scrum-halves in Alby Mathewson and Ian Prior, both Zack Holmes and Sias Ebersohn at fly-half and two right wingers, Patrick Dellit and Marcel Brache.

Perth-born Holmes returns from the Brumbies for his first Force appearance and is expected to partner Mathewson, who will make his 100th Super Rugby appearance.

Former Queensland Red Luke Morahan, will start at full-back and on trial form, Dellit will get the nod over Brache.

Kyle Godwin and Solomoni Rasolea will renew their centre pairing having twice teamed up in the midfield last season.

Nathan Charles has returned from a knee injury that ruled him out of most of last year and is expected to start with Heath Tessmann on the bench.

The four props are Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner and local products, Australian under-20 prop Ollie Hoskins who is set to make his Super Rugby debut, and Kieran Longbottom.

Force squad: Pek Cowan/Tetera Faulkner, Nathan Charles/Heath Tessmann, Ollie Hoskins/Kieran Longbottom, Sam Wykes, Hugh McMeniman/Wilhelm Steenkamp, Chris Alcock/Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson (c), Ben McCalman/Brynard Stander, Alby Mathewson/Ian Prior, Sias Ebersohn/Zack Holmes, Nick Cummins, Kyle Godwin, Solomoni Rasolea, Marcel Brache/Patrick Dellit, Luke Morahan.

FIXTURES

TODAY

Crusaders v Chiefs, Cheetahs v Bulls

TOMORROW

Highlanders v Blues, Brumbies v Reds,

Sharks v Hurricanes, Lions v Stormers

SUNDAY

Waratahs v Western Force