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Hodgson returns to Force starting XV

Cape Town - The Force have made several changes to their matchday 23 to take on the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 06:15 SA time.

Tetera Faulkner comes back into the starting front row replacing Jermaine Ainsley who dislocated his elbow against the Crusaders last week.

After making his Super Rugby debut last week, Richie Arnold has been given his first start in the second row, while club stalwart Matt Hodgson comes into the familiar No 7 jersey.

Inside centre Bill Meakes comes back into the squad in the No 12 jersey, after recovering from an ankle complaint, with Marcel Brache moving to outside centre. Curtis Rona is unavailable for the game after suffering a concussion against the Crusaders.

Wallaby Dane Haylett-Petty returns to the fullback position and will look to pick up where he left off against the Brumbies in Round 3.

On the bench, Anaru Rangi - another product of Perth’s local club rugby - is set to play his first match of the season and Australian Under-20 sensation - and former Future Force Foundation product -  Shambeckler Vui is in line to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench.

Teams:

Blues

15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 George Moala, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Pauliasi Manu

Substitutes: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi / Sam Prattley, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Rieko Ioane

Force

15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Ben Daley

Substitutes: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Shambeckler Vui, 19 Richard Hardwick, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman

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