Force Ready for Reds Rumble

[Darren]

Marquee man David Hill and hooker Ryan Tyrrell will make their run-on debuts for the Emirates Western Force in Sunday’s week five Investec Bank Super 14 fixture against the Reds in Brisbane.

Hill's inclusion allows the in-form James O’Connor to slide out to inside centre, with Mitch Inman squeezed out of the XV. A former All Black, Hill has been reunited with his former coach at the Chiefs, John Mitchell, and is well accustomed to Mitchell’s style of play.

Tyrrell, who has played for the Rockingham Rugby Club since he was a junior, replaces Pek Cowan in the starting side, as Cowan has battled a niggling injury over the bye week. Tyrrell’s inclusion is the only change in the front row, with props Nic Henderson and Tim Fairbrother named to start, with Matt Dunning on the bench.

There is one change in the backrow, with Richard Stanford named at Number 8 for the first time. Sam Wykes reverts back to the second row alongside Nathan Sharpe, with Tom Hockings moving to the bench. This will be Stanford’s second start for the club after he wore the no. 6 jersey against the Crusaders in 2009.

Sharpe will win his 53rd cap for the Force on Sunday, taking him past Tai McIsaac as the club’s record holder for games played.

Brett Sheehan will team up with Hill in the halves, with the marquee man becoming Sheehan’s fifth partner in this combination since the trial phase, following Andre Pretorius, Mark Bartholomeusz, Sam Harris and James O’Connor. Sheehan’s outstanding form has been a bright spot for the WA side, and he has transitioned smoothly to the New Zealander’s approach during training.

Dane Haylett-Petty moves to fullback in place of the injured Bartholomeusz, who has tightness in his calf. Wingers Nick Cummins and Scott Staniforth were retained from the team defeated by the Chiefs, as was centre Ryan Cross.

Sydney University flanker Jono Jenkins, who has signed a short-term contract as an injury replacement for David Pocock and Richard Brown, has been named as a reserve. Chris O’Young, Harris and Inman are the three backs on the reserves bench.

Mitchell said his side had used the week off to build cohesion, with more new faces arriving in the past fortnight.

"Bye week has been really good for us. We have had five sessions now heading into tomorrow’s Captain’s Run, so it has been really beneficial. We are in a must win situation, it’s pretty important that we get started,” Mitchell said.

"It's not a choice that we wanted to have all these changes, that’s something we couldn’t control.”

The Head Coach said the inclusion of David Hill would allow O’Connor to play at 12, with a fully fit Cross outside him.

"Hill's presence at training has been noticeable, he has had a good impact and his experience is invaluable. The guys have got to see him and know him in each session.

"I look forward to seeing him have more impact on the weekend.”

Mitchell said Tyrrell and Jenkins earned their places through strong displays during training.

"Ryan has shown a lot of confidence in his preparation. Pek has missed most of the preparation as he has nursed an injury, so he will come off the bench when the time is right.

"Jono throws himself about, and he’s pretty well built. It’s good to have another loose forward in the mix; we have been a bit imbalanced over the last few weeks without Pocock and Hodgson. He gives us an opportunity to use further loose forwards late in the game.”

Mitchell said the Reds would provide stern opposition.

"It's a derby, and it’s one place we have not conquered since we started. You can’t just rely on emotion, but that will be there.

"We're clearly focussed on ourselves, but we are mindful of the threat of the likes of Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes provide.”

2010 INVESTEC BANK SUPER 14 WEEK FIVE

Emirates Western Force v rEDS
Sunday, 14 March, 2010
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 2.30pm AWST

1. Nic Henderson
2. Ryan Tyrrell
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Ben McCalman
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Richard Stanford

9.Brett Sheehan
10. David Hill
11. Nick Cummins
12. James O’Connor
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Dane Haylett-Petty

16. Pek Cowan
17. Matt Dunning
18. Tom Hockings
19. Jono Jenkins
20. Chris O’Young
21. Sam Harris
22. Mitch Inman

23rd man – Kieran Longbottom

[Thequeerone]

Actually the backline looks good on paper - hopefully they click and produce some magic

[GIGS20]

Hope Dane doesn't see too much pressure at 15.

[palitu]

Hope Dane doesn't see too much pressure at 15.

yes, it will definately be something that they pressure, i have seen him crumble before (im thinking of the trial match...)

wish dunning wasn't there, i think he needs a benching to get it in that he needs to do much better!