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Emirates Western Force star flanker David Pocock will play his first match for the club since being officially announced as captain a fortnight ago. The West Australian’s will tackle reigning FxPro Super Rugby champions Queensland in Perth on Thursday evening in their final practise outing before the 2012 season.
Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has also added the experience of Wallabies capped fullback Cameron Shepherd into his run-on side with both teams able to call on 26 man squads.
Graham said Pocock’s inclusion on Thursday was a good opportunity for the backrower to become more familiar with the responsibilities of captaining the side.
“I tossed up whether to play him before the season started particularly with the amount of rugby that he has played last year, however I think it was important, given he is going to captain the side this year, to spend some time with the group in the middle,” Graham said.
Youngster Justin Turner will start the match at scrumhalf after completing his first match since late 2010 in Darwin a week and a half ago. The Australian U20’s representative is on the comeback from consecutive knee reconstructions and will partner James Stannard in the halves.
Graham has stuck with his second row pair of Sam Wykes and Toby Lynn with Nathan Sharpe again rested. The centre combination of Rory Sidey and Winston Stanley will have further opportunities to flourish after an impressive showing in the opening trial match.
“I thought Rory and Winston did some really good things last week, we made some first phase breaks and challenged the line. Given how well they performed last week they deserved another opportunity against the Reds,” Graham said.
The coach though was keen to point out that there are no guarantees ahead of the club’s opening round fixture against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday Feb 24 with positions up for grabs across the field.
“Reputations don’t count for anything and the challenge for the group is to front up on Thursday night and play well,” Graham said.
“I want to see a progression from our opening pre-season game against the Brumbies. We have a very clear focus on what we want to achieve from this trial and it’s a great opportunity to play a few combinations and introduce more players back into games.”
Nick Cummins will be rested after picking up a slight knock to his leg in Darwin while Richard Brown will be given additional time to ensure his shoulders are 100% ahead of the season proper.
“It’s important that we get that right for Brownie. We’ve spent six months trying to rehab him and get him strong and just want to make sure we finish that process,” Graham said.
The match will be played across traditional 40 minutes halves but with an option for the referee to call a drinks break 20 minutes into each period.
“We’re only a week away from our opening regular season game against the Brumbies and then the Reds again in a fortnight. While there are a number of key objectives you want to get out of the trial, at the same time you still keep a few things close to your chest,” Graham said.
Pre-season Trial Match
Emirates Western Force v Queensland Reds
Thursday, 16 February 2012 at nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 7.10pm – Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.au
Emirates Western Force Starting XV
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Sam Wykes
5. Toby Lynn
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Justin Turner
10. James Stannard
11. Napolioni Nalaga
12. Rory Sidey
13. Winston Stanley
14. Sam Wara
15. Cameron Shepherd
Reserves to be taken from the following players;
Phoenix Battye, Angus Cottrell, Gene Fairbanks, Tetera Faulkner, Kieran Longbottom, Alfie Mafi, Salesi Manu, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Elvis Taione, Ben Whittaker
Please note that there will be a curtain raiser match between the Emirates Western Force A and Australian Barbarians. Gates open at 4.30pm with the curtain raiser kicking off at 4.40pm.
http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...1/Default.aspx
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
I like that team a couple of blocks still to come in all we need now is for them to click!
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
No Paddy Delitt and no Will Tuopo? I wonder if they are injured?
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Anyone know who may be turning out for the Force A?
Could they be including Dellit and Tupuo to give them additional game time or is it age limited?
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
If its limited to over 60 ,I'm a starter
and where's the badger ?.. maybe the centres are still not a certainty.. would like to see Cummins & Paddy in there for game 1 of the proper season.
Plus who's the other winger in Sam Wara (where's he from)
Cummins got a knock in Darwin - maybe he's not over it yet.
Wara came on for him and spilled the ball a couple of times (including missing a certain try), but then settled down and played OK. It was difficult to assess just how well anyone was doing in Darwin as the players were intentionally holding themselves back.
It's a good young selection, the contract men will have their work cut out for them this year protecting the nest!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
After a successful campaign in 2011 the Emirates Western Force A programme has geared up again to provide both the professional rugby programme and up and coming West Australian players an opportunity to continue their rugby development.
Emirates Western Force A coach Andrew Scotney will oversee the programme’s first hit-out on Thursday evening when they tackle the Australian Barbarians at nib Stadium as a curtain raiser for the trial match between the Emirates Western Force and Queensland Reds.
Scotney has arranged a six match schedule which will take in games against the Baa Baas, Rebel Rising, Perth Gold and NSW 1st Grade sides West Harbour and reigning Shute Shield champions Eastwood.
“The aim is for improvement with the match programme every year and the games against the Baa Baas and 2011 Shute Shield winners Eastwood really provide this on top of the other fixtures that were initiated last year,” Scotney said.
“West Harbour's return shows how much they benefitted from last year's trip, whilst the Rebel Rising games continue to strengthen our link with another young Australian franchise and provide all prospective Super Rugby players from both the current Emirates Western Force squad and local Premier Grade rugby ranks with further exposure to quality rugby,” said Scotney.
The matches will be played from mid-February through until the end of March after which Scotney will continue to work with contracted Emirates Western Force players not taking part in FxPro Super Rugby games and monitor their progress in the WA Premier Grade competition.
Reigning Premier Grade championship coach Steve McFarland, UWA, will add his weight to the programme after joining as an assistant coach.
“Having Steve on board is fantastic and reward for his efforts in taking University from mid table finishes in previous years to grand final success in 2011,” Scotney said.
“Anyone who saw Uni play would have recognised the structure and organisation he brought, particularly to their forward pack, and I look forward to working with him over the next seven weeks.”
The match against the Baa Baa’s at nib Stadium starts at 4.40pm on Thursday, Feb 16 with gates opening at 4.30pm. Tickets can be purchased at the ground or at www.ticketmaster.com.au and include both the Emirates Western Force A clash and the trial match between the Emirates Western Force and Queensland Reds at 7.10pm.
Emirates Western Force A v Australian Barbarians
Thursday, 16 February 2012 at nib Stadium. Kick off 4.40pm
1. Tetera Faulkner (Waneroo)
2. Ben Whittaker (Cottesloe)
3. Salesi Manu (Palmyra)
4. Jake Ball (Palmyra)
5. Phoenix Battye (Waneroo)
6. Nick Haining (Cottesloe)
7. Ryan Hodson (Cottesloe - captain)
8. Anare Koliavu (Palmyra)
9. Tyler Berry (Waneroo)
10. Wes Roberts (Waneroo)
11. Juan Pretorius (Nedlands)
12. Andy Finn (University)
13. Ammon Matuato (Associates)
14. Matt Venter (Nedlands)
15. Chance Bunce (Wests Subiaco)
Reserves
16. Joe Savage (Palmyra)
17. Elvis Taione (Palmyra)
18. Ollie Hoskins (Cottesloe)
19. Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater)
20. Richard Hardwick (University)
21. Ryan Louwrens (Cottesloe)
22. Teava Te Rangi (Wests Subiaco)
23. Brad Lacey (Wests Subiaco)
24. Trent Vatseilas (Palmyra)
25. Nick Lekkimlin (Cottesloe)
Head Coach – Andrew Scotney
Asst Coach – Steve McFarland
S&C Coach – Brendan Appleby
Manager – Craig Fairhall
Emirates Western Force A match schedule
Thursday, Feb 16: Australian Barbarians at nib Stadium, Perth - Kick off 4.40pm
Saturday, Feb 25: Rebel Rising at UWA Sports Park (McGillivray Oval) – Kick off 4.00pm
Friday, Mar 9: West Harbour at nib Stadium, Perth – Kick-off 4.40pm
Saturday, Mar 17: Eastwood at Tompkins Park, Applecross - Time TBA
Friday, Mar 23: Rebel Rising at AAMI Park (Melbourne)
Friday, Mar 30: Perth Gold at The Foreshore, Nedlands – Kick off 5.00pm
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
All we need now is for Pocock to lead the EWF to victory against the Reds![]()
leave that for the regular season... all im hoping for is for the guys to string some good passages of play and get combinations working...