Force changes for Brumbies
Western Force coach Michael Foley is set to shuffle the deck in a bid to spark his side for Friday night's Super Rugby clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
While some changes have been forced on him by injury, he will have to find room for winger Nick Cummins, returning for his first game since arriving back in Australia from Japan.
Marcel Brache may miss out because of Cummins' return unless Foley moves Luke Morahan to full-back and Brache switches sides.
Second-rower Adam Coleman is out with groin and hip injuries and Foley may call up South African Wilhelm Steenkamp, who has not featured this year.
Steenkamp showed plenty of aggression in trial games, but Rory Walton was favoured on the bench for last Friday night's pasting from the Hurricanes.
With blindside flanker Gus Cottrell in doubt, Steve Mafi is likely to start at No.6, with Chris Alcock returning from injury on the other side of the scrum.
That would mean Brynard Stander going back to the reserves at the expense of academy flanker Kane Koteka, who made his debut from the bench against the Hurricanes after Cottrell sprained an ankle.
"I just have to keep working, keep doing my thing and hope I get selected," 21-year-old Perth-born Koteka said.
"I wasn't expecting to get on so early, but I was absolutely stoked, getting my first game at home in front of all my family and friends.
"That first carry got me in the game, it helped me, I was very nervous before that.
"That first involvement got me in the game. It was much faster than anything I've played before.
"The coach told me that with the injuries I was going to be in there and that I could do the job.
"I was stoked that they had belief in me.
"I was very nervous, but all the boys kept saying that it was just another game, to just do my thing and I would be all right."
Foley predicted a big future for the local product.
"He was so good on Friday, I'm so pleased for him," Foley said.
"He is an exceptional young man with so much humility.
"He's not a giant, but he is unbelievably tenacious. It was fantastic to see him get his chance. He has a big future."
Meanwhile, workhorse Wallabies lock Sam Carter says he's close to finalising a deal with the Brumbies and the ARU to extend his contract beyond this year.
Carter's impending signature will bring welcome relief to Australian rugby fans as lock numbers have dwindled in recent times.
with AAP
