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Versatile forward David Pusey returns to the starting line-up for the Emirates Western Force’s clash against the Waratahs at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on Friday night.
Bouncing back from injury, David Pusey will start at blindside flanker, with Luke Doherty returning to the bench, while openside flanker Richard Brown moves back into the starting 15 and Matt Hodgson drops out of the 22.
Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell said the game against the Waratahs would be no less demanding than the clash against the Lions.
He described the Waratahs as the Australian benchmark in the Investec Super 14 competition and expected them to be enthused by the prospect of playing at home for the first time this season.
“Adam Freier is a good choice for captain and their number 10 Kurtley Beale reminds me of the great Mark Ella or a young Carlos Spencer,” he said.
“We’ve also been impressed by what we’ve seen of Ben Jacobs in the centres, and Wycliff Palu’s influence on their game has not gone unnoticed.”
“Peter Hewat should thrive playing at home.”
Mitchell said it was critical the Emirates Western Force learn from the shortcomings exposed by the Lions and ensure they are not repeated.
He said individualistic opportunity ahead of team play had to be avoided if the Force was to challenge the Waratahs at the home of rugby in Australia.
“We still have a way to got mentally before we become consistent in this competition. We have to absorb the lessons of last week and move on,” he said.
The squad is:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava (vc)
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth (vc)
15. Drew Mitchell
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Angus Scott
18. Luke Doherty
19.David Pocock
20. Chris O’Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Haig Sare