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Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 4 clash with the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.
With Richard Brown returning home with a strained left shoulder, Mitchell has made just one forced change to his starting XV, elevating Tamaiti Horua to the blindside flank and shifting Matt Hodgson to the back of the scrum.
Hodgson will wear the Number 8 for the second time in his 33-match career, after an impressive showing from the side of the scrum in the 25-16 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday.
Horua, who started the opening two matches of the WA side’s 2009 campaign in the number 6, returns to that role after a spell on the reserves bench last weekend.
Further reinforcements were called in this week in the shape of David Pusey and AJ Whalley, both of whom have been named on the reserves bench for Friday night’s showdown.
50-cap veteran Pusey has been named in the match 22 for the first time this season after being drafted into the touring squad to replace the injured Brown, while 117kg prop Whalley replaces Kieran Longbottom after missing two matches with an ankle sprain.
Whalley was originally scheduled to play a club rugby trial fixture for Warringah in Sydney this weekend, but was drafted into the team to bolster the front row stocks.
Mitchell said his side is wary of the winless Chiefs.
“The Chiefs have had opportunities to win each of their matches so far and their position on the table is not really a reflection of we’re they’re at,” said Mitchell.
“They’ve played the top three sides and have been very committed and once again they’ll be desperate to perform well at home.”
2009 Investec Super 14 Week 4
Emirates Western Force v Chiefs
Friday 6 March, 2009
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, NZ
Kick off: 7.35pm NZ (3.35pm AWDST)
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Ben Castle
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Tamaiti Horua
7. David Pocock
8. Matt Hodgson
9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Drew Mitchell
Reserves
16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. David Pusey
19. Richard Stanford
20. Chris O’Young
21. James O’Connor
22. Haig Sare