Force questions Games selection

Force questions Games selection

By Tim Clarke
March 15, 2006

WESTERN Force coach John Mitchell has questioned why his side is the only Australian Super 14 team supplying two players to the nation's Commonwealth Games rugby sevens squad.

The injury-ravaged Force has already lost Lachlan Mackay and Junior Pelesasa to season-ending injuries, and will be without Scott Fava and Cameron Shepherd for the match against New South Wales in Perth on Friday, with the pair competing for gold in Melbourne.

Mitchell said the Australian Rugby Union decision to pick two Force players had been a surprise after an agreement was reached that each Super 14 side would supply one player each.

Although he was happy for the Force to be represented at the Games, Mitchell said missing both players for the Waratahs match was a major blow.

"There was agreement from day one that each state would supply one – again we've been required to supply two, so I am not quite sure how that equates," Mitchell said.

"We've always known we were going to lose one player, that was Scotty (Fava), and through the ARU directive they have called two players.

"They've used a loophole where Cam was a replacement in the first (Force) match (of the 2006 Super 14 competition).

"The ARU hold all the cards – they are the governing body and we have just live with it and get on with it. It was (a shot out of the dark)."

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said the Force had been unfortunate.

"That is obviously a bit tough ... but sometimes that is the luck of the draw," McKenzie said.
"But the guys playing the sevens, I am sure they are going to have a good time in Melbourne. (Well that's important, great call Link!!!)

"But I do feel a little bit sympathetic that they have lost two players."

The absence of Fava and Shepherd could be compounded by the loss of Nathan Sharpe, who is struggling from the effects of a virus that caused him to collapse and spend two nights in hospital after the loss to Queensland last weekend.

Sharpe is due to see a specialist an hour before the Force announce its team (about 6pm AEDT), with rookie Pat O'Connor in line to replace him.

AAP