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Western Force light on for big double
BY:WAYNE SMITH From: The Australian May 30, 2013 12:00AM
WESTERN Force coach Michael Foley will have to recruit players from club competitions around the country, including Perth, to bolster his squad's strength for next week's back-to-back "Tests" against the British and Irish Lions and the Waratahs.
The Force has the bye this weekend but the has the honour next Wednesday of being the first Australian opposition the Lions will face on their nine-match tour. But just four days later the Force will have to back up to confront NSW - albeit a Tahs outfit likely to be missing 10 of its Wallabies.
If the Tahs upstage the Crusaders tomorrow night, they will head to Perth with their finals hopes still flickering but they can expect no quarter from a Force outfit that has been far more competitive this season than its three wins and a draw might suggest. "We're treating the two matches as Tests and it's going to require the full input of our entire playing squad, not just the 22 chosen for each game," said Foley.
But even with all hands manning the pumps, including Test blindside flanker contender Hugh McMeniman, who is back in selection contention in time to press for one of the six Wallabies berths being held open, Foley still will need to draw on outside help.
The Force has been hard hit in its outside backs with Nick Cummins not being released from the Wallabies, Alfi Mafi having had his contract cut for disciplinary reasons, and Will Tupou, Ed Stubbs and Winston Stanley all nursing injuries.
"We'll be bringing in some club players to help us get through next week," Foley said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226653266257