Western Force head coach Dave Wessels has made several rotational changes to the match day 23 that will take on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Loosehead prop Francois van Wyk moves into the starting jumper for the first time this season, while club captain Heath Tessmann has earnt his fourth start of the season at hooker.
It’s taken over 18 months, but finally for the first time we will see Adam Coleman and Richie Arnold starting in the second row together, combining to be one of the tallest lock combinations in Super Rugby.
Ross Haylett-Petty moves to the blindside flanker position, Onehunga Havili will make his run-on debut at openside flanker and Richard Hardwick rounds out the forward pack changes in the number eight jersey.
Changes in the backline see Semisi Masirewa come in for his first game of the season and veteran Peter Grant slots into full-back for his first start of 2017.
Anaru Rangi is the only new face on the bench, as the big New Zealander is set to come on for his second match of the season at reserve hooker.
Western Force captain Heath Tessmann says that the Jaguares are an exciting team to watch and pose threats all over the park providing a good challenge for the men from the West.
“We’re really excited to be playing the Jaguares in Argentina, but we know that we need to improve on last weekend’s performance,” said Tessmann.
“The Jaguares play a dangerous style of play and we will need to play a full 80 minutes to take the four points.”
Force: 15 Peter Grant, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Onehunga Havili, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Richie Arnold, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann (c), 1 Francois van Wyk
Replacements: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Lewis Carmichael, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Isireli Naisarani, 22 Mitchell Short, 23 James Verity-Amm
Date: Saturday, May 13
Venue: Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 18:40 local (21:40 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Juan Sylvestre, Jose Covasi
TMO: Santiagi Borsani
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