DUNNING ADDS BITE TO SHARKS CLASH

hursday, 3 March 2011 10:10am
RugbyWA


Emirates Western Force prop Matt Dunning
Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has made just one forced change to the side that stepped out against the Reds in round one with veteran front rower Matt Dunning coming onto the bench for Saturday’s match against the Sharks in Perth.

Dunning, who is one of the club’s most experienced players with more than 100 Super rugby appearances and 45 tests, returns from injury and replaces young prop Kieran Longbottom who was ruled out of selection after hurting his shoulder at training.

“Unfortunately the game is probably a day or two early for Kieran,” Graham said.

“Matt is ready to go and keen to be back playing, we know what we’re going to get from a player of his experience.”

The ability to name the same run-on side was a luxury not often afforded the Emirates Western Force in 2010 and enables the starting XV a chance to build on combinations developed over the past few weeks.

“That team now has had the ability to train and prepare together throughout the bye week and into this week. We go into the game knowing the way we want to play and having a better understanding of each other’s qualities,” Graham said.

“It is important that we’re competitive and the boys are fighting for their positions and I think that has definitely been evident in our preparation. It is also equally important to show confidence in the group that you believe are going to get the job done.”

After two wins to start the season the Sharks venture out of South Africa on a four match stretch and Graham is expecting a tough battle that will inevitably begin from the Durban side’s Springbok front row. The teams last met in round 14, 2010 with the Sharks narrow five point victors at Kings Park Stadium.

“Their performances over the past two games have been very good, they’re a big physical side and certainly if you look statistically at their games the forward pack plays a huge part in their attack and where they’ll look to establish dominance,” Graham said.

“For us it’s great to be back at home, we receive fantastic support from our sea of blue and are looking forward to playing in front of them on Saturday night.”

2011 Super Rugby – Week 3
Emirates Western Force v Sharks
Saturday, 5 March 2010 at nib Stadium
7.05pm AWST

1. Pek Cowan
2. Ben Whittaker
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Ben McCalman
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Brett Sheehan
10. James O'Connor
11. David Smith
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Mitch Inman
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Matt Dunning
18. Sam Wykes
19. Tevita Metuisela
20. James Stannard
21. Alfie Mafi
22. Rory Sidey

More...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RugbyWA

Dunning, who is one of the club’s most experienced players with more than 100 Super rugby appearances and 45 tests, returns from injury and replaces young prop Kieran Longbottom who was ruled out of selection after hurting his shoulder at training.

“Unfortunately the game is probably a day or two early for Kieran,” Graham said.

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Does this mean Kieran's now #3 prop ahead of Dunning? Awesome if it does - I really like Kieran and thought he played well against the Reds. He might not be quite up to Pek or Tim's levels yet, but he's coming on.

Mind you, Dunning's still a heck of a replacement to call up!