Another one bites the dust at the Force
March 11, 2010 - 5:06PM
Mark Bartholomeusz's injury-interrupted Super 14 season has continued with the Western Force utility back almost certain to miss Sunday's clash with the Reds in Queensland.
Bartholomeusz suffered a neck injury on the eve of the season but returned for the Force's loss to the Chiefs in round three.
But the 32-year-old, who notched 68 caps for the Brumbies before spending five seasons in Europe, pulled up sore from that game and failed to train today.
However, the likely loss of Bartholomeusz will be offset by the inclusion of former All Black David Hill, who was lured to the Force as a replacement for injured five-eighth Andre Pretorius.
Hill will slot into the No.10 jersey against the Reds, freeing up James O'Connor to play at either fullback or inside centre after the 19-year-old was thrust into the key playmaker's role against the Chiefs.
Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan and flanker Matt Hodgson were others to pull up sore from the loss to the Chiefs but both returned to full training on Thursday and are almost certain starters against the Reds.
Queensland pair Digby Ioane (knee) and Peter Hynes (finger) are expected to return to a Reds line-up buoyed by last week's 23-18 come-from-behind win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The victory lifted Queensland to seventh on the table, while the Force remain dead last with not a single point to show from three games, two of which have been at home.
"There are a few teams that will be suited to the new interpretations and I think certainly the Queensland Reds have adapted really well to them," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said.
"It suits the style of game they play. They've been doing a good job of playing attractive rugby."
Sharpe said Hill, who came off the bench against Ireland in 2006 to notch his only Test cap, had slotted in well to the Force's set-up.
"It's hard to understand him, he's got the thick accent but he's going really well," Sharpe said.
"He got here the day before the Chiefs game so the guys have had plenty of time to get to know him.
"You can see the professionalism which he goes about his job.
"He's slotted straight into the team and understands the way we want to go about playing the game.
"I played against him quite a bit in the Super 12 before he went overseas.
"He's a big, solid guy and very good in defence.
"He likes to take the ball to the line. He's got a very good kicking game as well."
Sharpe said the team was desperate to notch their first win of the season after losses to the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Chiefs.
"No one wants to be 0-3 ... so it's a very important game for us," he said.
"But aside from where we are on the points table it's about us getting results for the hard work we've put in."
