Force v Rebels Super Rugby Preview

Out of the last five Super Rugby matches between the Perth based Western Force and Melbourne Rebels the Force have won just one match.

Overall the Force have played the Rebels 8 times since the Melbourne side joined Super Rugby in 2011 and the Force lost six matches and won just two.

That gives the Force a record of winning just 25% of their matches against the Rebels. The average score regardless of the venue when the Force play the Rebels is : Force 26 Rebels 25.

This weekend the Force will have home advantage over the Rebels as they have done on four occasions. In those four matches the Force have won one and lost three.

That gives the Force a record of winning just 25% of their home matches against the Rebels and the average score in Perth is : Force 28 Rebels 24.

In terms of form the Force have played four matches so far this season and they have won one match. Their single victory was away from home against the Waratahs but since they have lost all of their matches.

The Force have played three matches away and in their one home match this year they were beaten by the Hurricanes.

The Rebels have played three matches this year and they have won two and lost one. They beat the Crusaders in Christchurch but then lost to the Waratahs in Melbourne and the Brumbies in Canberra.

Last week the Rebels had the first of their two byes and the Force were beaten 27-15 by the Brumbies.

The Force have made one change to the team that lost last week to the Brumbies with Luke Burton starting at fullback replacing Luke Morahan.

The Rebels have also made just one change for this week with Scott Fuglistaller returning to the side.

The stats suggest that Perth is a happy hunting ground for the Rebels and the Force appear to have lost their way since the opening round when they beat the Waratahs.

The Bookies have given the Rebels a 3 point start for this Match – with an offer of a FREE $150 BET. The Rebels look to be enjoying better form at this stage of the season and they have a good record against the Force. The Rebels should edge this by two.

This Match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports 3/HD.

Average score: Force 26 Rebels 25

Last five results
18 Apr 2014 Force v Rebels 16-22 Melbourne
08 Mar 2014 Force v Rebels 32-7 Perth
06 Apr 2013 Force v Rebels 23-30 Perth
15 Feb 2013 Force v Rebels 23-30 Melbourne
20 May 2012 Force v Rebels 31-32 Perth

Force overall record against the Rebels
Played 8, Wins 2 , Losses 6 , Draws 0

Match No.29: v Force v Rebels
Date : Friday 13 March 2015
Venue : nib Stadium, Perth
Kick Off local: 19:00 local, 22:00 AEDT, 00:00* NZDT, 13:00 SAST
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2:Graham Cooper
TMO : Peter Marshall

Teams

Western Force

1. Pekahou Cowan , 2. Nathan Charles , 3. Tetera Faulkner , 4. Sam Wykes (c) , 5. Steve Mafi , 6. Brynard Stander , 7. Chris Alcock , 8. Ben McCalman , 9. Alby Mathewson , 10. Zack Holmes , 11. Nick Cummins , 12. Solomoni Jnr Rasolea , 13. Kyle Godwin , 14. Marcel Brache , 15. Luke Burton

Replacements : 16. Heath Tessmann , 17. Chris Heiberg , 18. Oliver Hoskins , 19. Adam Coleman , 20. Kane Koteka , 21. Ian Prior , 22. Sias Ebersohn , 23. Mitchell Scott

Rebels

1. Toby Smith ,2. Pat Leafa ,3. Laurie Weeks ,4. Luke Jones,5. Lopeti Timani,6. Sean McMahon,7. Scott Fuglistaller ,8. Scott Higginbotham ,9. Nic Stirzaker ,10. Jack Debreczeni ,11. Tom English ,12. Mitch Inman ,13. Tamati Ellison ,14. Dom Shipperley,15. Mike Harris

Replacements :16. Tom Sexton ,17. Cruze Ah-Nau ,18. Paul Alo-Emile ,19. Steve Cummins,20. Colby Fainga’a,21. Luke Burgess,22. Bryce Hegarty ,23. Sefanaia Naivalu

* Denotes potential Super Rugby debut