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Staniforth And Pusey Return, Holmes In And Giteau At 10
Thursday, 12 April 2007 9:47am
RugbyWA
Emirates Western Force vice captain Scott Staniforth and versatile forward David Pusey are back in the 22 for the match against the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon.
In other changes, hooker Luke Holmes comes into the squad for the first time in the 2007 Investec Super 14 season, replacing the injured Brendan Cannon.
Holmes has one Super 14 cap, coming off the bench against the Sharks in Durban last year.
Versatile back Matt Giteau returns to the flyhalf position, making way for Junior Pelesasa at inside centre. James Hilgendorf moves to the bench.
Prop AJ Whalley comes into the starting XV, swapping with Troy Takiari under rotation policy, while Matt Hodgson replaces David Pocock who has been sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Staniforth and Pusey will start on the bench having missed four and three games, respectively, through injury.
Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell said the players recognized their performance had to lift significantly for Saturday’s encounter.
“We are well aware of the shortcomings of last week’s effort. We have looked very closely at that game and discussed it as a group,” he said.
“We were unable to execute without possession. But, more to the point, what we did or didn’t do off the ball let us down.”
Mitchell described the Chiefs game as a significant test for the Force, with both teams fighting to retain control their own destinies.
“The likes of Sitiveni Sivivatu, Roy Kinikinilau and Sione Lauaki can change a game in the wink of an eye,” he said.
“The Chiefs are a team which can score from anywhere.”
The squad:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. AJ Whalley
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Chris O’Young
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Digby Ioane
15. Drew Mitchell
16. Luke Holmes
17. Troy Takiari
18. David Pusey
19. Luke Doherty
20. Jon McGrath
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Scott Staniforth
Chiefs:
1. Aled de Malmanche,
2. Tom Willis,
3. Nathan White,
4. Jono Gibbes (c),
5. Keith Robinson,
6. Liam Messam,
7. Tanerau Latimer,
8. Sione Lauaki,
9. Byron Kelleher,
10. Stephen Donald,
11. Roy Kinikinilau,
12. Tasesa Lavea,
13. Dwayne Sweeney,
14. Lelia Masaga,
15. Sitiveni Sivivatu.
16. Simms Davison,
17. Ben Castle,
18. Kristian Ormsby,
19. Steven Bates,
20. Brendon Leonard,
21. Tane Tu'ipulotu.
22. Jared Payne.