Foley sticks to his guns
Western Force coach Michael Foley has named an unchanged line-up for tomorrow night’s bottom-of-the-table Super Rugby clash with Queensland - the first time he has been able to name the same squad for consecutive matches this season.
The Force have lost 11 of their 13 games, including last weekend’s 23-3 defeat by the Highlanders, but have three Australian derbies to play and second-rower Adam Coleman said they were determined to finish the season well.
“There’s still motivation, we want to finish on a good note,” Coleman said.
“We’ve been challenging each other physically and mentally during our prep. There’s definitely a bit of feeling in the game.
“Something we’ve talked a lot about this week is finishing opportunities and capitalising on that. We want to convert in our gold zone.”
Coleman has been tipped as possible left-field selection for the World Cup.
“I don’t even think about that to be honest. My main goal is to play well for my team and my mates but ever since I’ve been growing up I’ve always wanted to play for the Wallabies,” he said.
“That’s been my life goal and being able to play Super Rugby is the next step. It’s an unreal feeling knowing you possibly could achieve your lifetime goal.”
Meanwhile fly-half Quade Cooper returns from a shoulder fracture and is one of 15 internationals in the Reds squad.
Coach Richard Graham said Cooper was cleared to play 10 days ago but he did not want to rush him back.
“We wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn’t compromise his return,” Graham said.
“He has been training with the squad now for about three weeks and will have no problems returning to play at this level.”
Winger Lachie Turner also returns from injury with Chris Kuridrani out with a calf strain. Jake McIntyre makes way for Cooper.
Flanker Beau Robinson has been named in an extended reserves bench for the first time this year after tearing his calf in the pre-season.
Western Force: Pekahou Cowan, Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Steve Mafi, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Matt Hodgson (capt), Ben McCalman, Ryan Louwrens, Sias Ebersohn, Nick Cummins, Kyle Godwin, Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan, Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Guy Millar, Sam Wykes, Kane Koteka, Alby Mathewson, Luke Burton, Patrick Dellit.
Reds: James Slipper (capt), James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Adam Thomson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz, Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Lachie Turner, Samu Kerevi, Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, James O’Connor. Extended reserves bench, one to be omitted: Andrew Ready, Pettowa Paraka, Sam Talakai, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nick Frisby Jake McIntyre, Ben Tapuai, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
