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Izack Rodda set for first Force start this season against Highlanders
By Finn Morton
Wallaby Izack Rodda will start a Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time this season after making a successful return from injury in the Force’s historic win over the Crusaders in Perth.
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Rodda, who has played more than 20 matches in Wallaby gold, came off the bench for an hour in last weekend’s historic 37-15 win over the defending champions at HBF Park.
The towering lock joins former Wallaby Sam Carter in the second row, while team captain Jeremy Williams will make a return off the pine after missing the last three matches through injury.
Wallaby Nic White will continue as captain this week.
Marley Pearce joins Tom Horton and Argentina’s Santiago Medrano in the front row, while Sam Carter and Rodda will pack down as the locking pair. Will Harris, tackle-machine Carlo Tizzano and former Maori All Black Reed Prinsep round out the forwards.
Captain Nic White joins Ben Donaldson in a familiar halves pairing, while Hamish Stewart and the talented Sam Spink are the Western Force’s midfielders for this round 10 clash.
New Zealander Chase Tiatia, Bayley Kuenzle and 95-test Wallaby veteran Kurtley Beale are the three outside backs in the run-on side.
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After overcoming the Crusaders last weekend, the Western Force have an opportunity to move up at least one more place on the ladder with a win over the Highlanders.
The Dunedin-based outfit are one spot about the Force, with only two competition points separating them.
Should results go their way, the Force could move inside the top eight with a bonus point win. This match will be played at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Western Force to take on Highlanders
- Marley Pearce
- Tom Horton
- Santiago Medrano
- Sam Carter
- Izack Rodda
- Will Harris
- Carlo Tizzano
- Reed Prinsep
- Nic White (c)
- Ben Donaldson
- Chase Tiatia
- Hamish Stewart
- Sam Spink
- Bayley Kuenzle
- Kurtley Beale
Replacements
- Feleti Kaitu’u
- Josh Bartlett
- Tiaan Tauakipulu
- Jeremy Williams
- Michael Wells
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
- Max Burey
- Henry O’Donnell
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What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
Rodda back is massively important for the Wallabies.
Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.