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Super Rugby PacificForceHurricanes

Former Chief set to make 50th Super Rugby appearance as Force eye up Hurricanes scalp

Toni Pulu of the Chiefs is tackled by two Hurricanes defenders

The Western Force have made four changes to their starting side for Friday night’s match against the Hurricanes, with Jeremy Thrush returning from injury to face his former side.

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Thrush missed last week’s 25-15 loss to the Highlanders in Perth through injury, but has joined hooker Andrew Ready, fly-half Domingo Miotti and winger Toni Pulu as inclusions for the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby clash in New Zealand.

It will be Thrush’s first game against his former side since moving to the Force in 2018.

Miotti replaces Jake McIntyre (concussion) while Ready has edged out Feleti Kaitu’u, who moves to the bench.

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A RugbyPass original series, ‘Reforging the Steelers’ – an exclusive behind the scenes documentary following one of New Zealand’s most renowned provincial sides, Counties Manukau

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A RugbyPass original series, ‘Reforging the Steelers’ – an exclusive behind the scenes documentary following one of New Zealand’s most renowned provincial sides, Counties Manukau

Pulu returns after serving his suspension.

Former Wallaby Tevita Kuridrani, who missed the start of the Trans-Tasman competition through suspension, is also back in the match-day 23. The centre is named on the bench alongside Jack McGregor.

Force coach Tim Sampson says the squad is embracing the trip to NZ and the challenge the Hurricanes present.

“We’re in a great place here in Napier. Hawke’s Bay Rugby Club have been very welcoming and it feels like home,” Sampson said.

“Toni provides spark for us. He’s full of energy and he’s raring to go. Tevita is itching to get back. He’s a player that has played a lot of rugby over here against New Zealand and provides impact off the bench.

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“Having that experience coming on at the back end of the game is going to be important for us.”

“The Hurricanes are a well-rounded team with a lot of strike power. If we apply pressure defensively in certain areas, then we’re positive about controlling the game. We’ve prepared well and we’re looking forward to Friday.”

Force: Rob Kearney, Toni Pulu, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Jordan Olowofela, Domingo Miotti, Tomas Cubelli, Tim Anstee, Kane Koteka, Fergus Lee-Warner, Sitaleki Timani, Jeremy Thrush, Santiago Medrano, Andrew Ready, Tom Robertson.
Res: Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Jack McGregor, Tevita Kuridrani.

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Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nik 6 minutes ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Earl

Willis

Underhill


Fixes the balance if you use Tom instead of Jack

5 Go to comments
O
OJohn 26 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Obviously Borthwick is the problem. He's inflexible. It's his way or the highway. Trouble is he's going the wrong way.

14 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Fiji vs Ireland | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

Fiji. 1 point.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

I tend to agree with Campese. This is probably the last chance Eben has of winning the award. But man, Cheslin and PSDT have been sublime.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Possibly. But this welsh team is no better than a good URC team at this point.


But a tough match is what is needed for the inexperienced in the group. Building depth etc.


Nobody learns anything pumping a team by 50.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Jeepers. That’s a nuclear response given the context.


By all means back the man. But there’s no need to go overboard with calling him the world best coach.

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

He played a big role, as director of rugby prior to stepping in as coach, putting systems in place. He’s been involved in many of these players careers since they were teens or debutants at their provincial teams.


So I agree with you 100% it’s not Gatlands fault the pipeline of players is poor.

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

Rassie is going to coach the boks until he’s 65. Never get tired of this.


I said a while ago that a South African would do well with Wales. Similar philosophy to the game. Perhaps Johan should do a stint at Wales?

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

It could be about the cut. It doesn’t seem wise to risk a reinjury.


Also an opportunity to give others a run.

6 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

It a hypothesis sure, perhaps Felix has a sweet deal lined up somewhere else. But I also don’t think he’d say something about that environment if it wasn’t true. He doesn’t strike me as a douche.

14 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Just a hypothesis. What on earth else could be the issue with regards to the environment as claimed by Felix?

14 Go to comments
J
JM 1 hour ago
'Lightweight' Premiership not preparing England players for Test rugby

You start off talking about physicality and then quickly segue to intensity as if they're the same thing.

If you think the Premiership isn't physical then you're either a fool, or being disingenuous.

One of the issues the Premiership does have when it comes to intensity is that the bonus point structure makes the last 20 minutes of lots of games meaningless. Everyone's wrapped up their points, benches are cleared, the quality of the game deteriorates, and what could be tense conclusions end up just petering out.

12 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is incredible and probably the best of the bunch but in Underhill and Earl we have two excellent alternatives.


Willis is solid in the lineout but I don't think Borthwick would pick a backrow without a 6'5" blindside.

5 Go to comments
T
Toaster 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

As an ABs fan there’s nothing to justify

The Boks are the best and just know how to win

And their depth is incredible now

And when they don’t they lose late on by one point


The rest of us aren’t too far away (some closer than others)


But in reality if we include England Argentina and now Aus rugby looks greatly competitive


Bongis knock on and Lomaxes double bank

These things happen


The fact is the ABs overall have evolved with new players and others like Aumua Vaai and Williams who have progressed immensely


But by and large although it has improved overall our second halves are a massive work in progress


So a B- is about right provided there is no loss to Italy

A loss drops it to C- !!

Remember we could have lost all three games to England but were just slightly better that’s all

29 Go to comments
f
fl 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is decent in the lineout to be fair, but definitely lacking a heavyweight ball carrier.


I think between Underhill, Curry, and Willis there isn't a huge amount between them. Maybe Willis would be good enough to start, but he wouldn't massively improve the team.

5 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'England's blanket of despair feels overdone - they are not a team in freefall'

I'm not sure he is getting there and I don't think he will. Progress has been glacial honestly. Our attacking structure hasn't improved at all, except that he's now picking Marcus Smith who is a one man attack at the moment... And our defence for obvious reasons is now awful. I would have faith in Borthwick if I had faith in his assistant coaches... But I don't think Wigglesworth is an attack coach and why would he be? He's never been an attack coach and he spent his entire career box kicking. Our defence coach has never been employed as a defence coach and is still the head coach of a second division French side with an awful defensive record. The fact that Borthwick appointed them both is a poor reflection. If we still had Felix Jones and we had Mike Catt/Nick Evans or someone in the attack coach role, I'd be content to be patient and that results will come. With Wigglesworth and Joe El Abd, I have no faith that we will improve and I've seen no signs that we are.

16 Go to comments
E
EV 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

You miss the point. There is no pipeline of players. A coach cannot change that. That is up to the Welsh RFU, which have failed.


Rassie is a clever bugger, no doubt, but the Boks could play 52 players this year because of the systems they have put in place to find and develop players from schoolboy level up.

20 Go to comments
E
EV 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

Rassie is ruling the roost because he put systems in place to find and develop the best players from schoolboy level up. Its an entire system and organisation that now, several years down the line, presents him with a pipeline of battle ready talent.


Wales lacks this, lacks a Director of Rugby. Firing Gatland won't change this fact. He is an world class coach. If anything Abi Tierney should be shipped out for failing to put these systems in place over the last 11 months.

20 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

In terms of player quality, that is a phenomenal backrow. In terms of balance, not so much. Lacks a heavyweight ball carrier and a lineout option. I'm sure they'd still cause havoc though.

5 Go to comments
S
SC 1 hour ago
New Zealand can't keep losing first fives like Harry Plummer

Is Harry Plummer a better 10 than Barrett or McKenzie? I do not think he is close to their level. Clearly, neither does Robertson.


Therefore Plummer does not deserve to start or be on the bench for an All Black Test if he is not one of the top two in his position. The third best player at a position should only be selected if one of the top two are injured.


This applies to all players at all positions.


The All Black XV team is for player development. The All Blacks should not be.

6 Go to comments
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TRENDING Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
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