Cape Town - The Western Force started their pre-season preparations on a high note by thrashing the Hurricanes 28-0 in Gosford on Wednesday.
Force coach Michael Foley named close to a full-strength side for the encounter, while last year’s Super Rugby runners-up, the Hurricanes, fielded a largely experimental side.
It was former Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant’s first match for the Perth-based outfit.
The Force’s next and final pre-season match is next Saturday, February 13 against the Asia Pacific Dragons at McGillivray Oval.
The Force start their Super Rugby campaign with a home game against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, February 27.
Scorers:
Force:
Tries: Adam Coleman, Steve Mafi, Semisi Masirewa, Ammon Matuauto
Conversions: Peter Grant, Jono Lance (3)
Teams:
Force:15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Albert Nikoro, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Angus Cottrell, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Guy Millar, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan (captain)
Substitutes: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Rory Walton, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 Kane Koteka, 23 Ryan Louwrens, 24 Jono Lance, 25 Onehunga Havili, 26 Ammon Matuauto, 27 Semisi Masirewa, 28 Maalonga Konelio
Hurricanes:
15 Jason Woodward, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Pita Ahki, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Otere Black, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Tony Lamborn, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Reg Goodes.
Substitutes: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Loni Uhila, 18 Ben May, 19 Hisa Sasagi, 20 Chris Eves, 21 Michael Fatialofa, 22 James Blackwell, 23 Callum Gibbins, 24 Frae Wilson, 25 Malo Tuitama, 26 Peter Umaga-Jensen