Force laud ex-WP man

Cape Town - Marcel Brache, set for his first start in a Western Force jersey on Saturday, has been praised for his role in the Perth franchise’s advance to an unprecedented four wins on the trot.

The former Western Province and Stormers centre is likely to run out in the No 13 shirt in the high-stakes home derby against the Waratahs on Saturday (11:40 SA time), as incumbent Junior Rasolea is injured.

Brache replaced him early in the Force’s nail-biting triumph over the Reds in Brisbane last weekend.

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au) on Thursday, hooker Nathan Charles said the impact players off the bench had made was a key to the fine run.

“Our standards do not waver at all (when replacements are made) ... this is an absolute necessity for a successful side.

“One player who did extremely well last weekend was Marcel. (He) slipped seamlessly into the backline and played a great game.

“Marcel brings great energy to the squad ... he’s someone who’s very light on his feet and he’s just a great person to have in the team.”

The 26-year-old, who is Los Angeles-born but educated at Rondebosch and UCT and a WP Currie Cup player between 2011 and 2012, may well get a crack at his former employers when the Force visit South Africa next month and play the Stormers at Newlands on May 17.

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