Western Force coach Simon Cron is bullish about his side’s prospects in Christchurch this weekend despite losing five of his top Wallabies for Saturday’s clash.
As expected, the Force will be without star winger Dylan Pietsch (knee) after sustaining an MCL injury during last week’s loss to New South Wales while enforcer Nick Champion de Crespigny has been ruled out under HIA protocol.
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However the odds have been further stacked against Cron’s side against the Crusaders with Test quartet Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Hamish Stewart and Carlo Tizzano set to be managed and left in Perth.
The Force nevertheless boast nine internationals in their matchday 23 with Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Harry Potter among their starters in Christchurch.
Fines-Leleiwasa's halves pairing with Max Burey will be crucial to unlocking a Crusaders' defence that kept Queensland to just 19 points last week.
“This is an exciting opportunity for a number of our key players to step forward,” Cron said in a statement.
“If we’re serious about being successful this season, it’s important we use the depth of our squad.”
The return of Perth product Kane Koteka is a welcome addition to the Force’s backrow while Robertson (100th Super cap) and Fines-Leleiwasa (50th Force cap) will bring up key milestones at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Shute Shield star Coby Miln is another on track for a major game with the flyhalf named for his potential SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific debut off the bench.
For their part, the Crusaders have named an almost full-strength side including 10 All Blacks in their bid to reverse last year's shock 37-15 at the Force's hands
FORCE (1-15): Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep; Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Sam Carter, Josh Thompson, Henry Robertson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu
