0
Western Force v Sharks, preview
Venue & time
Subaico Oval, Perth. Saturday, March 30, 7.05pm (WST)
Head to head
Played 1: Sharks 1, Force 0
Last time
May 12, 2006 (Durban) - Sharks 41-25 Force
Walking wounded & team changes
Scott Staniforth and David Pusey remain on the injured list for the Force but Matt Giteau (groin) and Matt Henjak (bicep) are back in the starting line-up. Giteau comes back at inside centre, pushing Junior Pelesasa to the bench, James Hilgendorf stays at No.10 while Henjak's return to scrumhalf sees Chris O'Young also go back to the bench. Coach John Mitchell has also rotated the forwards with hooker Tai McIsaac, prop Trot Takiari and flanker Matt Hodgson in the starting team - Brendan Cannon and David Pocock are on the bench.
Sharks fullback Percy Montgomery is still sidelined with thigh injury, lock Johan Muller comes back into the starting side in place of Albert van den Berg after being rested last week, while Keegand Daniel replaces Ryan Kankowski on the bench.
Form
The Western Force have been one of the form teams in the competition and manufactured wins over the Waratahs (? Must have missed that one...) and Hurricanes before demolishing the Reds in their last start. They had the bye last week so will be freshened up for this encounter.
The Sharks played smart, attractive rugby to sit at the top of the table after seven weeks but produced a flat effort to suffer their first defeat of the season at the hands of the Brumbies last week.
Who's hot
Cameron Shepherd has been on fire for the Force, while David Pocock and Richard Brown had great games against the Reds.
Loose forwards AJ Venter and Warren Britz have been in top form for the Sharks while Francois Steyn has been dynamic at fullback in Montgomery's absence.
Teams
Western Force:
1. Gareth Hardy,
2. Tai McIsaac,
3. Troy Takiari,
4. Rudi Vedelago,
5. Nathan Sharpe (c),
6. Richard Brown,
7. Matt Hodgson,
8. Scott Fava,
9. Matt Henjak,
10. James Hilgendorf,
11. Cameron Shepherd,
12. Matt Giteau,
13. Ryan Cross,
14. Digby Ioane,
15. Drew Mitchell.
16. Brendan Cannon,
17. Angus Scott,
18. Luke Doherty,
19. David Pocock,
20. Chris O'Young,
21. Junior Pelesasa,
22. Haig Sare.
Sharks:
1. Deon Carstens ,
2. John Smit (Capt),
3. BJ Botha,
4. Johan Ackermann,
5. Johann Muller,
6. Warren Britz,
7. AJ Venter,
8. Jacques Botes,
9. Ruan Pienaar,
10. Butch James,
11. JP Pietersen,
12. Bradley Barritt,
13. Waylon Murray,
14. Odwa Ndungane,
15. Francois Steyn.
16. Bismarck du Plessis,
17. Tendai Mtawarira,
18. Albert van den Berg,
19. Bobby Skinstad,
20. Keegan Daniel,
21. Rory Kockott,
22. Adrian Jacobs.
March 29, 2007 - 1:54am
Story by: Sportal