Milestone as Force lean on Wallaby veteran
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Western Force coach Tim Sampson made three changes to the starting XV, as the Perth-based franchise prepares to battle the undefeated Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
Wallaby lock Sitaleki Timani makes his first start after marking his return to the franchise off the bench against the Melbourne Rebels last Friday.
Greg Holmes also makes his first start of the Super Rugby AU campaign.
The veteran prop, who was won 27 caps for the Wallabies, is set to earn his 150th Super Rugby cap, fittingly against his former side in front of friends and family.
Samoan World Cup international Henry Taefu is named at inside centre after impressing off the bench against the Rebels.
Richard Kahui makes the shift from inside centre to wing, the position he excelled in during the All Blacks World Cup triumph in 2011.
Tim Anstee has recovered from injury to make the matchday 23, while experienced Force man Marcel Brache also returns to the squad, replacing Tomás Lezana and the injured Toni Pulu.
Sampson was full of praise for Holmes ahead of the occasion.
"It's a huge milestone and something you don't see too often, especially in Super Rugby. It's a wonderful achievement," he said.
"Everyone is focused on getting another win. We've won on the road already this season and travelling away can bring the best out of the squad."
Holmes is full of excitement ahead of his 150th Super Rugby appearance.
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"It's a huge honour. Not many players make it to 150, so it's pretty special," Holmes explained.
"We're confident and we're putting in a lot of hard work. We're going there to win this game.
"There's a lot of time being spent on building a strong Super Rugby team and an academy program, so it's a great place to be a part of."
Defence coach Nick Hensley believes the away trip to face the Reds presents a great opportunity for the Force.
"I feel we're improving each game. They're a team in good form, so it will be a great challenge for us," Hensley said.
"Holmes is a great person and a great player. For someone like myself to be able to tap into his defensive knowledge has been really helpful."
Western Force: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Brynard Stander (captain), 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Feleti Kaitu'u, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Jack Winchester, 17 Angus Wagner, 18 Santiago Medrabi, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Tim Anstee, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Jack McGregor, 23 Marcel Brache.
Date: Saturday, March 20
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 18.45 (16.45 AWST; 08.45 GMT)
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Reuben Keane
TMO: Brett Cronan