BROWN SET TO RETURN FOR RUN WITH THE BULLS IN PRETORIA

[RugbyWA]

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Saturday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 12 clash with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Wallabies Number 8 Richard Brown will make his return to the back of the scrum and recently re-signed prop Pek Cowan regains the number 1 jersey in a pair of changes to the starting XV following last weekend’s record 55-14 romp over the Lions.

Brown has recovered from a high ankle sprain which saw him miss the Week 11 clash, while Cowan returns to the position he has occupied for all but two matches this season after being spelled on the reserves bench last Friday night.

Australian Under 20s lock Sam Wykes has shrugged off minor muscular and ligament damage to his left shoulder and has been named as skipper Nathan Sharpe’s second row partner for the third consecutive week.

Mitchell has once again opted for the unconventional split of five forwards and two backs on the reserves bench. He has also retained two reserve props in AJ Whalley and Gareth Hardy, the latter making way for the return of Cowan at the loosehead position after starting against the Lions.

Mitchell said his side will face a hostile environment as they attempt to continue their momentum through the latter half of the season.

“Loftus Versfeld is one of the toughest venues to play on in the Super 14 and with the Bulls performing well there will be a big home crowd there in support of them this weekend,” said Mitchell.

“The Bulls are a team that revels in the big matches and it’s an exciting challenge for us.”

“It’s a simple equation for us. We need to win every game to give ourselves a chance to finish in the top four,” he said.

“We’ve played some good football and have gained some continuity, but if we are going to stay alive we’ll have to continue to be attack-focussed and back our style of play.”

2009 Investec Super 14 Week 12

Emirates Western Force v Bulls

Saturday 2 May, 2009

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, SA
Kick off: 5.05pm SA (11.05pm AWST)
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Ben Castle
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

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

Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. AJ Whalley
18. Gareth Hardy
19. Tom Hockings
20. Tamaiti Horua
21. Josh Tatupu
22. Haig Sare

[WF2006]

2 props and no scrummie on the bench again?

Hockings would still be my prefered starter over Wykes.

[Burgs]

I rate them both highly, with possibly Tom in front, but after last week you would be pretty hard pressed to swap them, Sam was outstanding and if he can carry that into the first fifty minutes it will go a long way towards the right result for the Force.

[robyn <3]

Not 2 hookers and one prop, Boof is a prop who can play hooker too.

I like most of it I rate Wykes very highly at pretty much the same level as Hockings, we have an abundance of very talented locks it seems. Against Matfield and co (is Botha back yet?) they should stand up nicely. Good luck boys!

Drew - Fullback - WHY!!

[inactive]

Daruda should be there in the number 21 jumper. He is a lot more versatile that any of the players we have been putting on the bench in 21 and 22 esp if we are not putting a half back in there.

[lara93]

good team!
go the forceeee!!!!!

[slomo]

welcome back brownie.....good balanced side, still no room for CO'Y....

[pieter blackie]

yeo Brownie!!!!!!!!

I know that it won't be easy but Go kick some bull ass