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Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has kept changes to a minimum for Saturday night’s clash against the Brumbies with Ben McCalman and Rory Sidey the only alterations to the run-on side that last stepped out a fortnight ago.
McCalman will start at Number 8 after playing his part from the bench against the Waratahs prior to the bye weekend while fellow loose forward Richard Brown will spend a week on the sidelines after being restricted to light duties with a few minor niggles.
Fullback Cameron Shepherd wasn’t considered as he continues to recover from a knee complaint but both he and Brown are expected to be available for the club’s two match tour to New Zealand.
Other moves will see Sidey takes the outside centre position in place of Mitch Inman while on the bench West Australian prop Kieran Longbottom, experienced back Gene Fairbanks and tough flanker Jono Jenkins return.
While some sides have struggled to find their best form following a bye, Graham is confident his side won’t suffer any lag effects and has been impressed with the enthusiasm at training this week.
“I looked at the squad when they came back on Monday after the bye and boys were in fantastic spirits,” Graham said.
“The bye has been scheduled there for a long while so we’ve had the time to plan around it. Certainly we’ve seen examples where teams coming off the bye don’t perform as well as expected however I’m confident we have taken the right steps to ensure that isn’t a factor for us this weekend.”
The Emirates Western Force produced a hard fought 27-19 win against the Brumbies in their last encounter just over a month ago in Canberra and will be hoping to repeat the dose on home soil.
In the last three outings between the teams it has been the ‘away’ side who has taken the points, however the West Australian’s have won three of the last four against the Brumbies.
While prepared for a fired up ACT outfit following Coach Tony Rea’s public roasting of his players, Graham said it hadn’t been something they’d specifically addressed this week.
“I think any time that the coach comes out publicly and gives a spray like that there’ll be a reaction but to be honest since coming back from the bye this week all we’ve focused on is ourselves and our performance,” Graham said.
2011 Super Rugby – Week 14
Emirates Western Force v Brumbies
Saturday, 21 May 2011 at nib Stadium
Kick-off: 8.05pm (AWST)
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Matt Dunning
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. David Smith
12. James O'Connor
13. Rory Sidey
14. Nick Cummins
15. Patrick Dellit
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Tom Hockings
19. Jono Jenkins
20. James Stannard
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Alfie Mafi