The Western Force have made five changes to the starting side for Sunday’s all-important Round 4 home clash against the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Men’s U16s.
The Force head into Sunday’s game in the knowledge that victory will secure the side their maiden Grand Final berth at U16s level.
After three rounds, the NSW Waratahs top the table (14 points from three games), with the Force in second on nine points from three games and the Reds in third on five points from two games. Victoria and the ACT Brumbies are fourth and fifth with no points from two games.
Kick-off for Sunday’s game is 1pm WST at Southern Lions RUFC’s Success Regional Sporting Facility. Entry is free.
Joondalup Brothers quartet Elia Vodovodo, Leeson Tiakia, Johan Oosthuizen and Iarlaith Flaherty along with Kalamunda’s Kobi Treffery-Koenders all come into the starting XV from the side that won 29-19 away to the ACT Brumbies last round.
Tiakia’s return comes with back-rower Kalani Onno unavailable, with captain Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage shuffled from blindside flanker to number 8 as a result.
Rockingham’s Elijah Leilua, Joondalup’s Logan Grant, Kalamunda’s Eyzirie Koro and Nedlands’ Zion Matenga all are added to the impact squad.
Four Force U16s players were named in this week’s Team of the Week in Kleine-Deters Ausage, Lachlan Ilott, Enzo Kyle and Kaiawka Heke.
The Super Rugby Men's U16s run for six weeks with five teams competing, with this weekend's games marking Round 4.
The Force thanks partners Fortescue, UWA, Goodyear, ADD Business Group and Elan as well as RugbyWA for their support of the U16s programs.
The U16s game will be live streamed on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel and Stan Sport.
Sunday’s U16s game is part of a double-header with Game 1 of the North vs South Women’s Series kicking off at 3pm at Southern Lions. Entry is free for both games.
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Game details
Western Force vs Queensland Reds
Sunday 19 October, 1pm WST
Southern Lions RUFC, Success Regional Sporting Facility
Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Elia Vodovodo (Joondalup Brothers), Jamie Mackenzie (Wests Scarborough), Arawa Metekingi-Pu-Tamainu (Southern Lions), Enzo Kyle (Mandurah Pirates), Oscar Sio (Kalamunda), Leeson Tiakia (Joondalup Brothers), Lachlan Ilott (Nedlands), Bareek Kleine-Deters Ausage (c) (Southern Lions); Johan Oosthuizen (Joondalup Brothers), Longoatu Jr Vaka (Palmyra), Kobi Treffery-Koenders (Kalamunda), Tini Sauea (Kalamunda), Iarlaith Flaherty (Joondalup Brothers), Tyrese Wainohu (Kalamunda), Kaiawha Heke (Mandurah Pirates)
Reserves; Tamati Tawhitapou (Kalamunda), Reuben Bouwer (Joondalup Brothers), Elijah Leilua (Rockingham), Logan Grant (Joondalup Brothers), TiakiTutengaehe Turner (Ellenbrook Vipers), Eyzirie Koro (Kalamunda), Zion Matenga (Nedlands), Robbie Noema (Palmyra)
First reserve; Harry Jenkins (Scots College)
