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Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has made six changes to his run-on side, five of them forced through injury, but importantly has been able to maintain an impressive forward pack for the club’s clash with the Hurricanes on Friday night in Palmerston North.
With regular flyhalf Willie Ripia, utility back James O’Connor, scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, centre Gene Fairbanks and prop Pek Cowan all out of last week’s side with injury, Graham has reshuffled his side including a new halfback pairing of James Stannard and Mark Swanepoel.
The majority of moves have come in the backs with changes to the forward kept to a minimum.
The all Wallaby backrow of Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Ben McCalman will start, while fellow test capped loose forward Richard Brown returns to add extra firepower from the bench.
Up-front, fast developing West Australian prop Kieran Longbottom takes the place of Pek Cowan who broke his cheekbone last Saturday, while on the other side of the scrum the experienced Tim Fairbrother returns.
With conditions in Palmerston North expected to be wet and windy it will be a game where the forwards will have a big say in the outcome.
“We had a good session in Wellington today and trained in conditions that we’ll face on Friday night,” Graham said.
“The nature of our forward pack is competitive and gritty and particularly in these types of conditions it is crucial for them to build a platform which we can build from.”
While the unfortunate influx of injuries has added some additional challenges leading into the game, Graham said the feeling within the camp was upbeat and preparations remained focussed on getting a winning outcome on Friday night.
Stannard, the reigning Australian Sevens ‘Player of the Year’, will take the key playmaker reins and looked comfortable in partnership with Swanepoel throughout today’s session.
“The boys walked off the track today happy with our preparations and you could see that the way James was communicating and organising the group was very good,” Graham said.
“Going from nine to 10 is certainly going to be a change in how he approaches the game however it is a position James is familiar with and comfortable playing having spent a lot time there at various stages of his football life.”
Hurricanes v Emirates Western Force
Friday, 27 May 2011 at FMG Stadium, Palmerston North (New Zealand)
Kick-off: 3.35pm (AWST)
1. Kieran Longbottom
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Mark Swanepoel
10. James Stannard
11. David Smith
12. Rory Sidey
13. Patrick Dellit
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Matt Dunning
18. Tom Hockings
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris Cottee
21. Mitch Inman
22. Alfie Mafi