Western Force -v- Huricanes Squad Announced

[RugbyWA]

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 9 clash with the Hurricanes at Subiaco Oval.

The WA side will field an unchanged lineup from 1 through 22 for the Good Friday clash, after last weekend’s 39-7 demolition of the Reds.

The competition’s sixth-placed side will visit Perth on the final leg of a three-match tour desperate to stay in touch with the top four, while the home side is looking to build on its best performance of the season.

“There were many pleasing aspects of last weekend’s win, but the most satisfying was that it came through a whole team effort,” said Mitchell.

“We built the win on the back of some strong defense and we were able to maintain our physicality throughout the entire contest.”

“The challenge now is to lift our physicality and energy levels again against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition,” he said.

The WA side has welcomed the return of several injured players in the past fortnight, with Cameron Shepherd (ankle), Justin Turner (back) and Troy Takiari (hand) the only squad members not available for selection.

2009 Investec Super 14 Week 9

Emirates Western Force v Hurricanes
Friday 10 April, 2009
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick off: 5.40pm WST

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. Junior Pelesasa
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. Josh Tatupu
22. Haig Sare

[blueandblack]

....

“There were many pleasing aspects of last weekend’s win, but the most satisfying was that it came through a whole team effort,” said Mitchell.

“We built the win on the back of some strong defense and we were able to maintain our physicality throughout the entire contest.”

“The challenge now is to lift our physicality and energy levels again against one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the competition,” he said.
...

and they can keep the strength and the winning going! GO YOU !

[laura]

Where is Sheps? Hopefully this means he'll be set for the Tahs game.

Unfortunately, the team seems to change every week, which makes it hard to build combinations.

Atleast this week there is consistency in the team and hopefully the combinations work well like last week.

[Swee_82]

Where is Sheps?

Still broken

[Burgs]

Most of the changes have revolved around Shep going in and out haha!
Great to see the ability to name an unchanged 22, as in injury free.

Bummer Turner is still out but really hope Manu and Whittaker get a shot off the bench on the SA Tour. Especially Whittaker, being in a position we need a replacement for next year.
He has improved certainly, but I still don't picture Holmsey as a 60 minute player.

[Thequeerone]

No Changes - Hmmmmm - Want Sheps back but.. looking good on paper

[force addict]

unchanged team, well that's ok! especially with what they produced last week. prefer that Sheps was on the team but rest is better for now.
go force

[Darren]

Dunno if I "prefer" Sheps in the squad - I certainly like seeing him there, but who do you boot?

[force addict]

its not that i 'prefer' him to anyone else, i just feel that his injury/ies suck/s a lot of crapola granola and i think he deserves every chance he gets to prove that he owns the wallaby #15 jersey

[laura]

its not that i 'prefer' him to anyone else, i just feel that his injury/ies suck/s a lot of crapola granola and i think he deserves every chance he gets to prove that he owns the wallaby #15 jersey

Especially against the Hurricanes at home!!

[mudskipper]

The Force did well with out Cam Shep last week... Best to let him get his confidence back...

[Burgs]

Sitting in the grandstand?

[travelling_gerry]

Entertaining sponsors

[TraceTrace]

Shep was on Nova this morning - said he can't shake the "niggle" in his ankle.. his ankle is swollen to twice the size of the other one!! He says that he's aiming to be back for the Waratahs game. Fingers crossed!

[travelling_gerry]

Wepu out for Friday night...