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28-MAN EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR PRE-SEASON OPENER
Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named a 28-man squad for tomorrow’s opening trial match against six-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in Melbourne.
World Cup Wallabies Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and Cameron Shepherd are among 13 backs named for the match, while skipper Nathan Sharpe anchors a 15-man forwards contingent.
Sharpe said the team’s opening trial would provide an opportunity for players to build towards the start of the season proper.
“It’s a great opportunity to play rugby again and to start focusing on the things we need to do on the field and build some match fitness and confidence leading into our South Africa tour,” said Sharpe.
The Olympic Park clash continues the tradition of pre-season meetings between the Emirates Western Force and the Crusaders, with the two teams having met in the Victorian capital in each of the past two seasons.
Sharpe said the match will serve as an important build up to his team’s Investec Super 14 season opener against last year’s finalists the Sharks in Durban on February 15.
“We only have two full hit outs before the season kicks off, being tomorrow’s match and a trial match against the Reds at Members Equity next Thursday night, so we’re really looking to gain as much as we can from the next two weeks before we take off for South Africa,” he said.
The 28-man squad features a number of new faces, among them local Perth product Dane Haylett-Petty earning his first run in a Western Force jersey alongside 17 year-old Nudgee College recruit James O’Connor.
Emirates Western Force v Crusaders
Saturday 2 February, 2008
Olympic Park, Melbourne
Kick off: 7.30pm AEDST
Emirates Western Force Squad
Backs
Kane Allen, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Scott Daruda, Matt Giteau (vc), Dane Haylett-Petty, Matt Henjak, Drew Mitchell, James O’Connor, Haig Sare, Cameron Shepherd, James Stannard, Josh Tatupu.
Forwards
Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Scott Fardy, Gareth Hardy, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Tai McIsaac, Thomas Murday, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (c), Troy Takiari, Sitaleki Timani, AJ Whalley, Sam Wykes.