show me:

Force to attack Cheetahs in South Africa

3 minute read

The Western Force won't be scared to swing the ball wide when they take on the Cheetahs in South Africa.

The Western Force will be aiming to flex some attacking muscle when they take on fellow Super Rugby strugglers the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday morning (AEST).

The Force's injury-hit backline has struggled to click this season, restricting the team to just 17 tries in nine games.

The Cheetahs are renowned for their free-wheeling style and interim Force coach Phil Blake said his team wouldn't hesitate to swing it wide themselves.

"Over the last five or six games we've been working on our ball movement and playing with a bit more width," Blake said from South Africa.

"And we know how they like to play. So it may pan out that way (for a high-scoring match).

"We'll look to control the ball and play with a bit of movement ourselves."

The Force made just two changes to their starting line-up, with Richard Brown replacing fellow Wallabies flanker Ben McCalman (shoulder) and Samu Wara promoted to the wing at the expense of Rory Sidey.

"It (Wara's selection) is a decision we felt would hold us in good stead for this game because the Cheetahs play with plenty of width across the field and Sam's greatest attribute is his speed," Blake said.

"The Cheetahs play such an expansive style and test teams defensively with their use of the entire field.

"We'll get our own opportunities in the game to counter attack and we need to ensure we make the most of those and use the ball well."

Young flanker Lachlan McCaffrey is a strong chance to make his Super debut off the bench after recovering from an ankle injury.

The Force sit last in the Australian conference with just two wins from nine games, while the Cheetahs are also struggling with only three wins.

The Force received a much-needed dose of good news on Friday when in-form hooker Nathan Charles re-signed for the next two seasons.

Charles, who is a national ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Australia, has become a regular in the Force starting line-up since arriving at the Perth-based franchise as an injury replacement in 2010.

The 23-year-old has notched 32 caps for the Force, with his good form earning him call-ups to Wallabies training camps over the past 18 months.

Charles had been chased by other Australian clubs but said the decision to remain in Perth was an easy one.

The Force are still attempting to lure several big-name players to the franchise after missing out on the services of Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia, who initially agreed to come to Perth but then re-signed with the Reds for a further three seasons.

Force: Alfie Mafi, Samu Wara, Nick Cummins, Winston Stanley, Napolioni Nalaga, David Harvey, Brett Sheehan, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock (capt), Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Res: Elvis Taione, Salesi Manu, Phoenix Battye, Lachlan McCaffrey, Josh Holmes, Ben Seymour, Rory Sidey.