Debuts galore for Western Force in opening game

[mudskipper]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/deb...-1225828860170


AT least five players will make their Western Force debuts in Friday night's Super 14 clash with the ACT Brumbies.

One-Test Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz will take up the five-eighth role following the season-ending injury to Andre Pretorius, while scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, inside centre Sam Harris and props Matt Dunning and Nic Henderson will also don Force colours for the first time in Super 14 competition after being named in the starting XV.

Wallabies centre Ryan Cross has been named in the run-on side despite struggling to overcome an abdominal injury in recent weeks.

Young gun James O'Connor will play at fullback while prop Pek Cowan will start at hooker after his impressive display there in the Force's trial win over Queensland last week.

Wingers Haig Sare (Achilles tendon) and Nick Cummins (foot) couldn't be considered due to injury.

Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown will form a formidable back row while Sam Wykes will partner Nathan Sharpe at lock.

Star Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau has been named by the Brumbies but is no certainty to play due to a lingering quad complaint.

Force: James O'Connor, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ryan Cross, Sam Harris, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Bartholomeusz,
Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Pek Cowan, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Tim Fairbrother, Richard Stanford, Ben McCalman, Chris O'Young, Mitchell Inman, Josh Tatupu.

Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau/Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Justin Harrison, Mark Chisholm, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Maafu, Ben Hand, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Alfi Mafi, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

[JediKnight]

And how many show-ponies are making their Brumbies debuts?

[Burgs]

Pat McCabe, Josh Valentine, Rocky Elsom and Afusipa Taumoepeau I think.
Was Ben Hand this season or last, can't recall.
Over rated anyway.

[oxleymoron]

Does it count as a debut if you start on the bench and get gametime? If this is the case, then Fairbrother, Inman and McCalman can be added to that group.

[Burgs]

Pretty sure they do Ox, guess that is the "at least five" part.
Another article mentions "up to eight".

[.X.]

Is Barts new nickname OTW?

[AndyS]

He'd probably take it so long as they don't add "-icle"...

[GIGS20]

Five Force debutantes, but only one S14 Debutante......doesn't sound so bad really! (Actually, Harris suited up for the Tahs at one point didn't he?)

[Sheikh]

Interesting Dunning's got the nod ahead of Fairbrother

[KenyaQuin]

Did Inman play on Friday past? If he did, I obviously missed it and therefore (with some degree of embarrassment) ask, how did he rate?

[Sheikh]

Did Inman play on Friday past? If he did, I obviously missed it and therefore (with some degree of embarrassment) ask, how did he rate?

He came on after around an hour when they were changing a lot of players over. The play wasn't impressive after that, so I can't say if that's Inman's fault or the team as a whole.

[Tazzmania]

Good luck to new guys and the whole team, and as the adverts say lets be the force behind the Force tomorrow at ME Bank and get our boys over the line.

[palitu]

Good luck to new guys and the whole team, and as the adverts say lets be the force behind the Force tomorrow at ME Bank and get our boys over the line.

ok, i'll go to the pub after work, have a skin full then hit the ground! should ba fairly amusing!

YEEHAAA!!!

[James]

Did Inman play on Friday past? If he did, I obviously missed it and therefore (with some degree of embarrassment) ask, how did he rate?

Tatapu was the starting 13. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a bit of a breakout year for Tatapu.

[Woody]

Tatapu was the starting 13. It wouldn't surprise me if this was a bit of a breakout year for Tatapu.

I always liked you the most James!