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Force rookie displaces a foundation player
Bret Harris | May 02, 2008 Force rookie displaces a foundation player | The Australian
THE future of Western Force inside back Lachlan MacKay is in the air after his omission from the 22-man squad to take on the Chiefs in Perth tomorrow night.
Western Force rookie James O'Connor, 17, has been named in the run-on side to play the Chiefs. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij
As expected, coach John Mitchell named rookie James O'Connor, 17, to make his run-on debut at inside centre alongside five-eighth Matt Giteau.
Utility back Scott Daruda will return from an ankle injury to provide cover for the inside backs on the reserves bench.
Mitchell was disappointed with MacKay's performance when he deputised for Giteau in the upset loss to Queensland Reds in Brisbane two weeks ago.
The fact MacKay, a foundation Force player, has a history of injury also concerns Mitchell.
"We are reviewing our playing list and evaluating all of our players," chief executive Greg Harris said.
"Lachlan has made a fantastic contribution to the club and that will be taken into account.
"At the same time we have to look forward."
Mitchell is certainly looking forward with the selection of O'Connor, who has been described as "the next Matt Giteau".
While the Force is still a mathematical chance to make the Super 14 semi-finals, Mitchell said the selection of several new faces was the start of planning for 2009.
"Our vision is just going to take us a little bit longer," Mitchell said.
"But there's two things you can do. You can look backwards and look down at the ground or look to where you want to head.
"It's important that we play well in the next three games.
"There's no denying the fact that I was disappointed with the leadership at nine, 10 and 12 against the Reds.
"I think it's time to start looking at people that are actually going to deliver on a more consistent basis and play the style of football that we need to play to succeed at this level."
But Mitchell dismissed the suggestion O'Connor was being rushed into the starting line-up.
"We wouldn't be putting him out there if we didn't think he could cope," Mitchell said.
"He's ready to play Super 14.
"If we were right in the hunt to contest finals maybe I'd go for a bit more experience, but why wait until next year?
"It's important now to get them started so ... next year there's no guessing."
In other changes to the team that lost to the Reds, James Stannard has replaced Chris O'Young at halfback and Matt Hodgson has displaced Richard Brown at number eight.
Veteran second-rower David Pusey has replaced the injured Tom Hockings (shoulder) and Nick Cummins takes over from Haig Sare (ankle) in the absence of utility back Scott Staniforth (knee).
Mitchell has named an almost entirely new bench, with two local players, Kieran Longbottom and Dane Haylett-Petty, in line to make their Super 14 debuts.
The selection of Longbottom was a warning to regular prop AJ Whalley, who has been left out of the squad.
"We just think the workrate around the pitch hasn't been acceptable for the level where we want to head and it's time for AJ to shift and improve his performance," Mitchell said.
Additional reporting: AAP