The Western Force U16s have five made changes to the starting side to face the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday as the team looks to get back on the winners’ list.
The Force won its opening Super Rugby Men’s U16s game against Victoria but were humbled by a ruthless NSW Waratahs last round, leaving the side 1-1 after two rounds.
The squad have spent the week on the east coast following the loss in Sydney, with Saturday’s 12pm WST kick-off game an opportunity to improve to 2-1 against the Brums, who were also beaten by the ‘Tahs in Round 1.
Force U16s head coach Gavin Laycock and the selectors have elected to mix up the starting side, with Nedlands’ Liam Brain and Wests Scarborough’s Jamie Mackenzie coming into the front row.
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Nedlands’ Lachlan Ilott comes into the back row with the impressive Leeson Tiakia unavailable due to a knock, but named as the travelling reserve.
Mandurah Pirates scrum-half Daniel Kroczek-Crack and Palmyra fly-half Lonoatu Jr Vaka both are added to the starting XV, with Kaiawha Heke shuffling to full-back from 10.
Joondalup prop Reuben Bouwer is added to the finishers, with Elia Vodovodo, Tamati Tawhitapou, Johan Oosthuizen and Robbie Noema named among the impact squad.
Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage will captain the side again, having this week been named in the U16s Team of the Week despite the heavy ‘Tahs loss.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 12pm WST. All games will be streamed on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel and Stan Sport.
The Super Rugby Men's U16s run for six weeks with five teams competing, with this weekend's games marking Round 3.
The Force thanks partners Fortescue, UWA, Goodyear, ADD Business Group and Elan as well as RugbyWA for their support of the U16s programs.
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Game details
ACT Brumbies vs Western Force
Saturday 11 October, 12pm WST
Brumbies HQ, Canberra
Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Liam Brain (Nedlands), Jamie Mackenzie (Wests Scarborough), Arawa Metekingi-Pu-Tamainu (Southern Lions), Enzo Kyle (Mandurah Pirates), Oscar Sio (Kalamunda), Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage (c) (Southern Lions), Lachlan Ilott (Nedlands), Kalani Onno (Kalamunda); Daniel Kroczek-Crack (Mandurah Pirates), Longoatu Jr Vaka (Palmyra), Marco Nel (Joondalup Brothers), Tini Sauea (Kalamunda), Braden Neho-Udy (Joondalup Brothers), Tyrese Wainohu (Kalamunda), Kaiawha Heke (Mandurah Pirates)
Reserves; Harry Jenkins (Scots College), Reuben Bouwer (Joondalup Brothers), Elia Vodovodo (Joondalup Brothers), TiakiTutengaehe Turner (Ellenbrook Vipers), Tamati Tawhitapou (Kalamunda), Johan Oosthuizen (Joondalup Brothers), Iarlaith Flaherty (Joondalup Brothers), Robbie Noema (Palmyra)
First reserve; Leeson Tiakia (Joondalup Brothers)
