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MacKay has inside running
Print Bret Harris | March 31, 2008
LACHLAN MACKAY will start at inside centre for Western Force against the Bulls in Perth on Friday in possibly the only change to the starting line-up despite the team's disappointing effort against the Stormers.
MacKay came off the bench against the Stormers in Perth on Friday night when inside centre Scott Daruda left the field with an ankle injury, which could sideline him for a few weeks.
After missing a couple of tackles against the Highlanders the previous week, which cost him his place in the run-on side, MacKay made an impact against the Stormers with his hard, straight running and solid defence.
He also provided the Force with a second-ball distributor in the inside backs along with five-eighth Matt Giteau.
At one point it appeared MacKay would be recalled to replace Giteau, who injured his hip against the Stormers.
But fears about Giteau missing the Bulls game have eased and he is now expected to play.
Force coach John Mitchell has been known to change a winning team, but is believed to be unlikely to wield the axe despite the loss.
The Force was favoured to beat the Stormers to set up a string of home wins, which would secure a top-four finish for the first time in its brief, three-year history.
From here down I apologise for not deleting it from the article but thought that I should let you read the whole article. We have heard enough of this already.
But it appeared the Force entered the Stormers game in an over-confident frame of mind.
From the moment Stormers winger Tonderai Chavhanga scored a runaway try in the opening minute, the Force was never in the game.
The Force is unlikely to make the same mistake against the Bulls, but if it does the result could be the same.
After a slow start to the season, the defending champions are gaining momentum and probably should have beaten the Blues in Auckland last Saturday.
The Force will also be trying to figure out how to turn around its appalling home record.
The phrase "home-ground advantage" does not hold much meaning for the Force.
It has won more games on the road than at home since its foundation season in 2006.