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The Western Force are determined to finish their season on a winning note and notch a first ever victory at Absa Stadium in Durban when they tackle the in-form Sharks on Friday night.
Coach John Mitchell has recalled Pek Cowan and Ben Whittaker to the front row while Ben McCalman’s brute force has been added at lock for a match the West Australian’s expect will be played with plenty of physicality.
“We’re coming up against what we feel will be a physical pack and a physical night of rugby,” Mitchell said.
“Not only do we have to meet that head on but also find a way to outsmart them.
“This is probably the strongest mix that we can put together based on what we have seen throughout the year,” Mitchell added.
Scrumhalf Brett Sheehan also returns to a squad that Mitchell is confident will rebound from the disappointing performance against the Cheetahs last Saturday in Bloemfontein.
The Force have won four of their past six matches and have shown they can respond positively after a loss as they did when they comprehensively defeated the Crusaders in round 11 after going down to the Blues a week earlier.
“I’ve got no doubt that this group will get up this weekend and put our best foot forward against the Sharks,” said Mitchell.
“I guess the frustrating aspect is the trend where we drop off now and again but in saying that common sense needs to prevail. Since the Reds match, if you draw a line underneath that, this group has hung tough and played some good football.”
It won’t be easy for the Force with the Sharks enjoying a run that has seen them win six of their past seven matches. The South African’s enjoying a superb second half of the season and disposed of their high flying countrymen, the Stormers, in Durban last week and will again be on the attack at home.
“It’s the only South African venue in our short history that we haven’t nailed so there is a challenge there,” Mitchell said.
“Being our last game you have to take the performance into the remainder of the winter and into the next pre-season. It is important to finish on a high. Losing or coming close is not an option.”
2010 Investec Bank Super 14 – Round 14
The Sharks v Emirates Western Force
Friday, 14 May 2010 at Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 7.10pm (SAST) / 1.10am (Saturday, 15 May 2010 - AWST)
Referee: Pro Legoete
Emirates Western Force Squad
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 David Hill
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Ryan Cross
13 Mitch Inman
14 Nick Cummins
15 James O’Connor
Reserves
16 Nathan Charles (FR)
17 Matt Dunning (FR)
18 Sam Wykes
19 Tom Hockings
20 Justin Turner
21 Sam Harris
22 Mark Bartholomeusz
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