Super Rugby 2016: Force’s McCalman to start against Brumbies

Western Force coach Michael Foley believes speed will be the key against the Brumbies in tonight’s game in Perth.

Force’s Ben McCalman in action against the NSW Waratahs, will be in the starting lineup for the match against the Brumbies tonight.

Western Force coach Michael Foley believes speed will be the key when they take on the stampeding Brumbies in the Super Rugby game in Perth tonight.

The Brumbies have opened the season at a blistering pace, piling up 11 tries in their first two wins against the Hurricanes and the NSW Waratahs.

“They play with great speed,” Foley said. “They take the game on and they recycle it quickly.

“It’s a little bit different to teams like the Hurricanes, Chiefs and Highlanders, who play a little bit more ball movement through the contact area. Without a doubt, the speed they play at is a benchmark.

“The Brumbies play at speed, but their biggest points-scoring source is the maul and the lineout. That’s a platform for them. We have to be good in that area.”

Foley has made five changes to the Force team that started in the win against the Queensland Reds last Saturday night.

Wallabies No 8 Ben McCalman will start after coming off the bench in Brisbane. There are three more changes in the forwards: tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley, second-rower Ross Haylett-Petty and hooker Heath Tessman come into the run-on side.

Ian Prior takes over from Alby Mathewson at halfback.

Foley said the changes were part of a new selection policy of rotating players in and out of the starting line-up to cope in part with the Force’s demanding travel schedule.

“Last year we tried to maintain the same XV with the exception of injuries week in and week out,” Foley said.

“With the travel schedule that was just not possible. We actually looked at teams with six-day turnarounds and the success they had.

“So when we started our preparation we recognised the need to draw a greater number of guys into the XV.

“We have retained the same 23. We are just giving some guys off the bench the opportunity to play in a different part of the game.”

Foley was pleased with the balance the Force achieved between go forward and width against the Reds, but they are up against a completely different opponent in the Brumbies.

The Brumbies have won seven of their past eight games against the Force.