Team for Force v Reds

[travelling_gerry]

Injury-plagued Lachlan MacKay has been named as Matt Giteau's replacement for the Western Force against Queensland on Friday.

Giteau, who was ruled out of Friday's clash after being knocked out and concussed in last week's defeat to the Waratahs, is expected to return to take on the Chiefs after next week's bye.

In the meantime, MacKay will return to the position to he started his Force career, which has since been blighted with various injuries.

The only other change to the starting line-up will see Haig Sare start his first game since his pre-season punch up with Matt Henjak, having made a brief comeback off the bench last week. (ed. wonder how long they will carry this tag for? Crystal ball - R12 2010 - "Haig Sare named as wing for the 23rd time since his pre season punch up in 2008" )

Tamaiti Horua comes onto the bench, as does teenage prospect James O'Connor.

Western Force: .
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (capt),
6. Scott Fava
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

9. Chris O'Young
10. Lachlan Mackay
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Haig Sare,
15. Cameron Shepherd

Res: Luke Holmes, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes, Tamaiti Horua, James Stannard, James O'Connor, Nick Cummins

[Jehna]

Forever Gerry I'm surprised their not still talking about quokka soccer players as well..

The Reds
1. Ben Coutts
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dayna Edwards
4. Van Humphries
5. James Horwill (capt)
6. John Roe
7. David Croft
8. Leroy Houston

9. Ben Lucas
10. Quade Cooper
11. Peter Hynes
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Morgan Turinui
14. Brando Va'aulu
15. Clinton Schifcofske,

Reserves: Sean Hardman, Rodney Blake, Ed O'Donoghue, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Andrew Walker, Charlie Fetoai.

[jono]

i would say forever as well.

the history in 2020 in wikipedia
"amidst many off field dramas in the early years [citation needed] the Western Force have now won the Southern hemisphere rugby union competition more times than any other team"

[James]

Whats up with Gareth Hardy? His injury prognosis before was for him to be back for the Waratahs game and now he isn't even there for the Reds. Or has Mitchell dropped him because he plans to leave?

[PerthGirl]

Go Lachy! Hope he has a great game

[The InnFORCEr]

Whats up with Gareth Hardy? His injury prognosis before was for him to be back for the Waratahs game and now he isn't even there for the Reds. Or has Mitchell dropped him because he plans to leave?

I think you will find the likes of Boof & Jimmy H that have not yet committed to the Force for 2009 will only get a run if other players are injured.

[GIGS20]

Hmmmm but we're still in it in 2008....don't you think you'd leave that until we're not a chance?

[The InnFORCEr]

Hmmmm but we're still in it in 2008....don't you think you'd leave that until we're not a chance?

No I don't GIGS

[Swee_82]

I'm with Gigs on this one, staying or not, they ARE contracted for the remainder of this season, so we need to be putting the best team on the park regardless of what they're doing next year, at least as long as the finals are still open.

[The InnFORCEr]

I'm with Gigs on this one, staying or not, they ARE contracted for the remainder of this season, so we need to be putting the best team on the park regardless of what they're doing next year, at least as long as the finals are still open.

Don't you think we are already fielding the "best" players available?

I would rather see young James O'C (ready to re-sign with Force) getting game time than Jimmy coming back from injury without commitment.

[Swee_82]

TIF, I made several attempts to phrase that so it didn't sound like I meant the best team wasn't on the park, none of which worked, so I gave up.
I guess I'm assuming that even the blokes that are moving on are professionals, and they'll play with the same gusto regardless of whether or not they'll be here next year (they still have national selectors and potential other franchises to impress at the very least).

[Stone Cold]

Im with you TIF...let the young fellas who are committed get the gametime - it will pay off eventually...maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of our lives...

[Scotty]

Im with you TIF...let the young fellas who are committed get the gametime - it will pay off eventually...maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of our lives...

It worked for the Reds when they dropped Crofty and co.

[Moses]

Don't you think we are already fielding the "best" players available?

nup, the best players are all wearing sky blue for the mighty 2nd placed Tahs. Carn

[travelling_gerry]

Nha......they lost to the Bulls......


ahhahhahhaahhahaaha