The Emirates Western Force will kick off the 2013 Super Rugby season against the Melbourne Rebels tonight at AAMI Park.
The new-look Force has undergone significant change over the off-season, including a new coaching staff and overhauled backline. Tonight seven players will make their debut for the province, including the new halves pairing of Alby Mathewson and Sam Christie, and flanker Chris Alcock.
Perth junior Kyle Godwin will make his run-on debut at inside centre, partnering Winston Stanley in the midfield.
Prop Pek Cowan will lead the side out for the first time, replacing regular skipper Matt Hodgson, who will miss the match due to a minor hamstring injury. Wallaby lock Hugh McMeniman has also been withdrawn due to a pectoral strain.
Past encounters with the Melbourne-based franchise have traditionally been tight, with three of the four matches decided by a solitary point.
The Rebels squad for tonight features six former Emirates Western Force members – Nic Henderson, Luke Jones, Rory Sidey, Mitch Inman, James O’Connor and Paul Alo-Emile – as well as key off-season signing Scott Higginbotham.
Emirates Western Force v Rebels
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Time: 7.40pm (local)/4.40pm (AWST)
Coverage: Live on Fox Sports 2. Live on 990am (WA only)
Weather Forecast: Min: 20C Max: 31C Wind: S to SE 15-25mh Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon and evening over outer northern and eastern suburbs.
Last Meeting: Rebels 32 def Emirates Western Force 31 in Perth (2012)
Head to head: Played 4 – Emirates Western Force 1; Rebels 3
In Melbourne: Played 2 – Emirates Western Force 1; Rebels 1
Biggest win: Emirates Western Force 27 def Rebels 24 in Melbourne (2011)
Biggest loss: Rebels 26 def Emirates Western Force 25 in Perth (2011)
Rebels 30 def Emirates Western Force 29 in Melbourne (2012)
Rebels 32 def Emirates Western Force 31 in Perth (2012)
2013 record:
Emirates Western Force: Played 0; Won 0; 0pts
Rebels: Played 0; Won 0; 0pts
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan (c), 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Tetera Faulkner, 4. Sam Wykes, 5. Toby Lynn, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Ben McCalman, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Sam Christie, 11. Alfie Mafi, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Winston Stanley, 14. Patrick Dellit, 15. Will Tupou. Res: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Phoenix Battye, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Mick Snowden, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Junior Rasolea
Coach: Michael Foley
Rebels
1. Nic Henderson, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Hugh Pyle, 5. Luke Jones, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Scott Fugistaller, 8. Gareth Delve (c), 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Kurtley Beale, 11. Richard Kingi, 12. Rory Sidey, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Lachlan Mitchell, 15. James O’Connor. Res: 16. Shota Horie, 17. Paul Alo-Emile, 18. Cadeyrn Neville, 19. Jarrod Saffy, 20. Nic Stirzaker, 21. Alex Rokobaro, 22. Tom English
Coach: Damien Hill
Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Rohan Hoffmann, Richard Goswell TMO: George Ayoub