The InnFORCEers Tour FORCE vs REBELS Melb tour 15-2-2013

[shasta]

Is the bar in the Qantas terminal open that early?

Ha! As if you'd need to ask.
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[jargan83]

Ha! As if you'd need to ask.
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I fly with Virgin Australia....

[zimeric]

squad was supposed to be announced today.... cmon guys you making us all sweat here and 42 deg is hot enough as it is!!!

[PeterM]

Personally I am looking forward to seeing my first live Super15 game and joining the Sea of Blue.
Going to watch the young lad at training and in matches when he plays under 9 and going to watch the local first team play in the premiership competition which is three fold supports the young blokes love of the game I get to support my rugby addiction and get away from the wife

[todd4]

I thought they were announcing the team today... any news??

[Muddly]

2013 Super Rugby – Week One

Emirates Western Force v Melbourne Rebels

AAMI Park, Melbourne

Friday, 15 February 2013

Kick-off: 7.40pm (local)/4.40pm (AWST)



1. Pek Cowan (c)

2. Nathan Charles

3. Tetera Faulkner

4. Sam Wykes

5. Toby Lynn

6. Angus Cottrell

7. Chris Alcock*

8. Ben McCalman

9. Alby Mathewson*

10. Sam Christie**

11. Alfie Mafi

12. Kyle Godwin

13. Winston Stanley

14. Patrick Dellit

15. Will Tupou



Reserves

16. Heath Tessmann*

17. Kieran Longbottom

18. Phoenix Battye

19. Richard Brown

20. Mick Snowden**

21. Sias Ebersohn*

22. Junior Rasolea**



* Emirates Western Force debut

** Emirates Western Force & Super Rugby debut

[brokendown gunfighter]

didn't think Christie was eligible

[travelling_gerry]

Cowan to captain new-look Force in season opener



By RugbyWA Media Unit


















Pek Cowan will captain the side against the Rebels in round 1

Front row stalwart Pek Cowan will captain the new-look Emirates Western Force in their 2013 Super Rugby season opener against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday night.



Cowan stands in for regular skipper Matt Hodgson, who has been ruled out of the match with a minor hamstring injury.



The 26-year-old becomes the seventh player to lead the Western Australian province in Super Rugby behind Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock, Brett Sheehan, Brendan Cannon, Scott Staniforth and Matt Giteau.



Cowan leads a squad that features seven players in line to make their debut for the Emirates Western Force.



Flanker Chris Alcock will make his debut for the Perth-based side after joining the squad from the Waratahs. He joins a familiar Force forward pack that also includes the return of Sam Wykes (knee) and Ben McCalman (shoulder/broken arm) from lengthy injury layoffs that disrupted their 2012 Super Rugby seasons.



The Emirates Western Force will run out a new-look backline, featuring a revamped halves pairing of Alby Mathewson and former Waikato flyhalf Sam Christie. The Kiwi combination will link with a fresh centre pairing of Kyle Godwin and Winston Stanley, while Alfie Mafi, Patrick Dellit and Will Tupou make up the back three.



“Friday is an exciting opportunity for our new side,” Emirates Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley said.



“As the pre-season has progressed, competition for positions has become more intense, which is a tribute to the players’ efforts to continually lift the standards within the team.



“A key focus for us this year is to improve on the side’s performances from last season and the higher we push our standards, the closer we come to achieving our number one goal of ‘earning respect’.”



The match provides reserve hooker Heath Tessmann’s first opportunity to line up against his former province while replacement backs Mick Snowden, Sias Ebersohn and Junior Rasolea are also in line to make their provincial debut for the Emirates Western Force.



The side will be without Wallaby winger Nick Cummins, who will make his return via the Force ‘A’ curtain-raiser against Rebel Rising. Cummins sustained a knock to his knee during pre-season training and did not participate in either of the side’s pre-season trial matches. Wallaby flanker/lock Hugh McMeniman has also been rested after suffering a minor pectoral strain in the side’s 46-0 final trial win over Tonga Select XV last weekend.

http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...6/Default.aspx

[zimeric]

ok so it appears Pek is going to lead the boys out tomorrow.. a good choice in terms of experience but not sure hes the kinda guy that can motivate a team other than by actions alone.

[zimeric]

2013 Super Rugby – Week One
Emirates Western Force v Melbourne Rebels
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, 15 February 2013
Kick-off: 7.40pm (local)/4.40pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan (c)
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tetera Faulkner
4. Sam Wykes
5. Toby Lynn
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Chris Alcock*
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson*
10. Sam Christie**
11. Alfie Mafi
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Winston Stanley
14. Patrick Dellit
15. Will Tupou

Reserves
16. Heath Tessmann*
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Phoenix Battye
19. Richard Brown
20. Mick Snowden**
21. Sias Ebersohn*
22. Junior Rasolea**

[brokendown gunfighter]

that side does not make me excited

[travelling_gerry]

Well it shows he is not picking on reputations alone.

[zimeric]

yeah wheres the badger?

[GIGS20]

How does Sam Christie get a gig, I thought he was EPS? OTT It looks like a good zippy team, certainly focusing on speed.

No Badger is a bit of a worry, would have far preferred to see him at 13 over Stanley, Also thought CTM looked the goods from what i saw.

If they're both fit and have been left out due to better options becoming available, that's a great team.

Kyle and Sam should carve up a midfield of Rory and Inman. Hopefully there'll be so much pressure on Phipps that Beale won't even get close to the footy.

[Muddly]

EWF just told me EPS contracted players can be selected in the match day 22. WTF? Badger got a knock to his knee in training.