Force winger not ready for rugby return

Market 50096 currently cannot be found

Force coach Richard Graham has made just one change to the side that lost 20-12 to the Chiefs last week, replacing injured winger Samu Wara (hamstring) with Rory Sidey.

Nalaga has missed the past four games with an ankle injury, but Graham was confident the 26-year-old would be ready to go after the Force’s bye next week.

“He’s actually run pretty strongly this week, to be fair. But given he’s been out for four weeks, I was just concerned he hasn’t done the work running,” Graham said on Thursday.

“Given that we’ve got another eight games to go post this week, I want to make sure that he’s fit and healthy for those.

“I’ve got a good understanding of how his rehab is going and how hard he’s working but, at this point in time, I’ve got a bigger picture in mind.”

Fullback Cameron Shepherd will make his return from an adductor strain via the bench in a game the Force are desperate to win to keep pace with their Australian rivals.

The Force (12 points) sit last in the Australian conference, but are just seven points adrift of the ladder-leading Brumbies, who have already had their bye.

The Waratahs, who had their bye last week, are equal second with the Queensland Reds on 17 points.

Force: David Harvey, Rory Sidey, Nick Cummins, Winston Stanley, Alfie Mafi, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock (capt), Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma’afu, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Res: Elvis Taione, Kieran Longbottom, Phoenix Battye, Ben McCalman, Josh Holmes, Cameron Shepherd, Patrick Dellit

Publisher: AAPNewswire

13 Apr 8:00 AM