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Drew Mitchell Among New Faces In Emirates Western Force Squad For APC
Tuesday, 29 August 2006
RugbyWA
Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell will be the first of the new backline recruits to wear an Emirates Western Force jersey when he takes the field during the Australian Provincial Championships next month.
Mitchell, who has played 10 Tests and 35 Super games, has been named in the initial 32-man APC squad along with fellow 2006 Wallabies Scott Fava, Tai McIsaac, Cameron Shepherd and Scott Staniforth.
The APC will also see the return of another Wallaby, Brendan Cannon, who underwent neck surgery in April.
Flyhalf Jimmy Hilgendorf has recovered from a broken hand to claim his place, while lock Pat O'Connor is back in action after having his appendix removed five weeks ago.
Emirates Western Force APC coach John Mulvihill said his squad was looking forward to the first up clash against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore in Brisbane on 9 September.
“As a group, we have been looking forward to the APC since the end of the Super 14 season in May. The boys are looking forward to the challenge of renewing interstate rivalries in this new competition. They've done a lot of hard work in the gym and on the training track, and we have had the chance to try out some combinations against Samoa and the two Japanese clubs (Toshiba and Yamaha),” Mulvihill said.
“It's also an opportunity for the guys to put themselves in contention for Super 14 selection in 2007. There's also the prospect of selection for the Wallabies spring tour.”
New signing Troy Takiari has been named in the squad, having joined the Emirates Western Force from the NSW Waratahs. A 192cm, 118kg prop, the 27 year old Takiari won two Super 14 caps during the 2006 season.
Another new face is 25 year old scrumhalf Jon McGrath, who has signed with the Emirates Western Force as a senior apprentice.
McGrath played with the Brumby Runners for three years and comes to Perth from Sydney club, Norths. At 178cm and 81kg, McGrath will be Matt Henjak's deputy in the APC with Chris O'Young continuing his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.
Also in the squad are local club players, Kiti Fuluna and Garth Ziegler. The 20 year old Ziegler, a wing/centre with Nedlands, played for Force Gold against Japanese club Toshiba and was a member of the development tour to South Africa, while 27 year old Fuluna, a flanker with Wests Subiaco, represented Force Gold against Toshiba and Yamaha.
For the first game against the Queensland Reds, the team will be without its Wallabies, who will be in Johannesburg for the Test against South Africa.
The Emirates Western Force will then play the Brumbies on Friday 15 September in Canberra and the Waratahs on Saturday 23 September in Bathurst.
The squad is: Richard Brown, Vitori Buatava, Brendan Cannon, Pek Cowan, Scott Daruda, Luke Doherty, Scott Fava, Kiti Fuluna, Josh Fuimaono, Josh Graham, Gareth Hardy, Matt Henjak, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Digby Ioane, Jon McGrath, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, Pat O'Connor, David Pocock, Junior Pelesasa, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Angus Scott, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Brett Stapleton, Troy Takiari, AJ Whalley, Matt Windle, Garth Ziegler
Unavailable for selection: Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau (Wallabies), Chris O'Young (shoulder), Lachlan MacKay (groin), Zander Peden (ankle), Rudi Vedelago (ankle)
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Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr
