Lance at pivot for Force
The Force will be on the hunt for back-to-back victories on Saturday as they continue to build towards the 2016 Super Rugby season after accounting for the Hurricanes 28-0 in Gosford last week.
The squad has been bolstered by the return of skipper Matt Hodgson and scrumhalf Alby Mathewson after missing the clash with the 'Canes', the pair are relishing the chance to get a game under their belts heading into Round One.
New recruit Lance looked at home in the blue jersey, playing a starring role in the triumph over the Hurricanes and has been rewarded with a run-on-start at flyhalf. Lance controlled the play brilliantly last week and will again push the pace as the Force look to fine tune their new attacking game style in front of the Sea of Blue this weekend.
Semisi Masirewa will again feature after the Fijian-flyer scored a brilliant try on debut last week and will be keen to repeat the dose as competition heats up for Round One spots.
The formidable pairing of Adam Coleman and Steve Mafi will partner in the second row while Dane Haylett-Petty retains his place at fullback after a brilliant defensive performance in Gosford including a number of bone-rattling hits in the last line of defence that kept the Hurricanes scoreless.
The Asia Pacific Dragons side is made up of players from the Japan Top League and features a host of players with test match experience including former Wallaby Radike Samo, former All Blacks Isaac Ross and Jimmy Cowan and Tongan 2015 World Cup representatives Latiume Fosita and Hale T-Pole.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Albert Nikoro, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Angus Cottrell, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Guy Millar, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements – from: Heath Tessmann, Chris Heiberg, Jermaine Ainsley, Ross Haylett-Petty, Chris Alcock, Richard Hardwick, Kane Koteka, Ian Prior, Peter Grant, Solomoni Rasolea, Ammon Matuauto, Semisi Masirewa, Maalonga Konelio, Rory Walton.
Date: Saturday, February 13
Venue: McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont
Kick-off: 17.00 (09.00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), Kyle Burnett (Australia)
