Super Rugby Round 16: Western Force v Rebels

Western Force v Rebels
Friday 9:55pm
at NIB Stadium, Perth

This match is being build up as the battle for a place to stay in Super Rugby. With the ARU decision on who to cut still looming, expect the clash between these two cellar dweller rivals to have added feeling.

Selection news

Four changes for the Force in their return to Super Rugby. Wing sensation Chance Peni returns out wide after recovering from injury. Further changes in the backline sees a new halves pairing of Jonno Lance and Michael Ruru whilst in the forwards the damaging Matt Phillip returns in the second row.

There’s been a raft of changes made to the Rebels starting XV. In the backline, an injury to Sefa Naivalu in the last test of the June series has seen him ruled out of the remainder of the season. He’s spot will be taken by Tom English with Reece Hodge and Mitch Inman making up a strong centre pairing, Jonah Placid will make his first start at fullback for the season. In the forwards veteran prop Laurie Weeks will return on the tighthead side of the scrum.

Last time they met

29/5/2016 – Rebels 27 – 22 Force

Stat that matters

From 13 games, so far this season the Rebels have just the one win to show for it and have scored a competition low 185 points, The Force are the next lowest with 242.

Key Match-up

Reece Hodge vs Billy Meakes – These two men are two enormous prospects for Australian rugby and have had solid years in poor teams in 2017. Many thought Billy Meakes was the unluckiest man to miss out on a spot in Michael Chieka’s squad. The Wolf expects he will be out to prove a point up against one of Cheika’s favourites in Hodge.

The form

The Force sit 3rd in the Australian conference with a 4 – 9 record whilst the Rebel are dead last on just about every ladder there is a with an abysmal 1-12 ledger for the season.

How it’s shaping

Who would have thought a clash between two of the worst performing sides all season could have so much meaning come round 16. With Bill Pulver and his bunch of merry men expected to finally announce their decision in the coming weeks expect players from both these sides to put their body on the line and prove their worth. For the record the Wolf is sniffing a bit of an upset and expects the men from Melbourne to spring out perform their Western Australian counterparts.

Final thoughts

Rebels by 3

Recommended bets

Best bet: Rebels +7.5 ($1.90)
Value bet: Rebels WIN ($3.20)