Force Squad Annouced for Reds Game

[RugbyWA]

Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 8 clash with the Reds at Subiaco Oval.

The WA side will welcome back Wallabies Number 8 Richard Brown after a three-game absence with a shoulder injury, while a new-look backline features six players with Test experience.

Brown returns to the back of the scrum as the only change to the starting forward pack from the last time the team took the field on March 21 against the Sharks.

Teenage back James O’Connor returns to inside centre after a successful debut at fullback against the Sharks, while Nick Cummins returns to the left wing after sitting out the side’s Week 6 outing with a hamstring strain.

O’Connor’s switch and Cummins’ return paves the way for former Red Drew Mitchell to return to fullback, where he has started in four of his six matches this season.

As well as celebrating the return of Brown and Cummins the side has also been boosted by the return of Sam Wykes, who has been named in the selected match 22 for the first time this season after completing a long stint on the sidelines following shoulder surgery last year.

The Australian Under 20s lock underwent a full shoulder reconstruction after being injured at a training session on the side’s 2008 development tour of England last August.

He completed a full eighty minutes in his comeback appearance for WA club side University last Saturday, which was enough to convince the match committee that he was ready to make his return to Super 14.

Mitchell admitted his side is facing a must-win scenario against the Reds this Friday night to keep their 2009 finals chances alive.

“We’ve got no choice but to take responsibility for our own future in the 2009 competition and to do that we’ll need to bring a positive mentality and be willing to chance our arm in each of our remaining games,” said Mitchell.

“The bye last week gave us an opportunity to re-assess our position and set our targets for the remainder of the season and there’s no doubt we need greater cohesion in the second half of our campaign.”

Western Force Squad
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Ben Castle
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Nick Cummins
12. James O’Connor
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Drew Mitchell

Reserves
16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Sam Wykes
19. Tamaiti Horua
20. Chris O’Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. Haig Sare

[Darren]

Queensland coach Phil Mooney has stuck with the players thumped 50-26 by the Chiefs by naming an unchanged team for Friday night's Super 14 clash with the Western Force.

Mooney has kept the faith in his starting 15 from Saturday's loss, making just one change to his bench with former Highlanders forward Ezra Taylor returning from injury to replace Tasi Luafutu.

Wallabies winger Peter Hynes (knee) hasn't recovered in time from an arthroscopy, giving young wingers Blair Connor and Rod Davies chances to atone after a tough night against the destructive Chiefs back three.

"Blair and Rod have spent a lot of time with Peter Hynes this week analysing their game and getting advice from Peter, so they need to get back on the horse this week and put that into practice," mooney said.

"I'm confident they'll bounce back.

"You don't become a bad player or a bad team overnight, so I'm also confident the Reds as a team will be able to give a good account of themselves in Perth."

In-form back-rower Scott Higginbotham again narrowly missed out on a starting spot but will be given far more than the 20 minutes he received off the bench at Suncorp Stadium.

"Higgers could be considered unlucky not to have won a starting spot, as he's definitely breathing down the other guys necks, while it's also tough on Tasi giving his spot on the bench to Ezra," Mooney said.

"But we felt Ezra deserves a bit more time than he's had so far this year due to injury and that he offers a bit more physicality. This is his chance to impress against very strong opponents."

Queensland: Mark McLinden, Blair Connor, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Rod Davies, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas; Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill (capt), Van Humphries, Laurie Weeks, Sean Hardman, Ben Daley. Res: Saia Faingaa, Jack Kennedy, Scott Higginbotham, Ezra Taylor, Brendan McKibbin, Anthony Faingaa, Charlie Fetoai.

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...261626155.html

[travelling_gerry]

Good to see Stanners in there...lets hope he gets the magical 100 in the last round.

[force addict]

that is a fantastic Force team. shame Sheps isnt there but thank goodness Spanner has a starting position, and hurrah for Brownie and Cummins being back in the team. Go Force!

[Burgs]

Spanner under the posts from a lineout again

[mudskipper]

Spanner under the posts from a lineout again

You mean, Spanner under the posts from a lineout again, via a sly inside ball from Giteau....

[AndyS]

So just how busted is Shepherd? The Wallabies would have to be starting to look a long shot...

[laura]

So just how busted is Shepherd? The Wallabies would have to be starting to look a long shot...

Ask him at 3pm....http://blogs.thewest.com.au/sport/li...eron-shepherd/

[Burgs]

Maybe I meant from the top of the throw in from Sharpey.

[Rex Messup]

The Force looks good on paper these days. What's under the emblem?

[robyn <3]

Drew at FB? WHY! Nope, I think JOC should have stayed there and Staniforth at 12 with Cummins and Drew on the wing.

BROWNIE! WOHOO MAN! Let's kick some QLDer butt!

GO THE FORCE

[oxleymoron]

Good to see the "cullet" back.

[sandgroperrugby]

BROWNIE! WOHOO MAN! Let's kick some QLDer butt!

GO THE FORCE

May I suggest "Reds Butt" he could find it a tad difficult kicking his own, he is a banana bender himself after all!!

[normie]

May I suggest "Reds Butt" he could find it a tad difficult kicking his own, he is a banana bender himself after all!!

Good point. We don't want any 'friendly fire' accidents...

[shasta]

Good to see the "cullet" back.

Did you notice Marto and Co pick up on that on The Rugby Club after Swee & Rhonda came up with it? They were calling it the "Fuzzy Mullett". Just another pointer to some of our media lurk...er.....visitors to the site.