Western Force to Trial New Faces
Tai McIsaac will captain a young Emirates Western Force squad
Thursday, January 19, 2006
from: RugbyWA
Emirates Western Force coach John Mitchell has named his squad for Saturday's trial match against the Cheetahs at Subiaco Oval, with 19 of the 27 players making their first appearance at Super 12/Super 14 level.
Of the eight players with Super 12 experience, only locks John Welborn and David Pusey, and prop Angus Scott have played more than 20 games at that standard.
The selections highlight one of the main reasons for introducing a fourth Australian team in the competition - to give young men an opportunity that was previously limited.
Mitchell said the pre-season games were a great opportunity to give the uninitiated exposure to the pace and intensity of Super 14 rugby.
"It is fantastic that our players are getting a hit-out. Their work ethic and enthusiasm during pre-season have been unquestionable. They will be looking forward to seizing this opportunity," he said.
Mitchell said the trials were a starting point from which the group would build its momentum. "We are looking forward to their response."
The squad is (in alphabetical order): Richard Brown, Vitori Buatava, Pek Cowan, Scott Daruda, Tim Davidson (VC) Gavin Debartolo, Josh Fuimaono, Josh Graham, Gareth Hardy, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Brock James, Tajhon Mailata, Tai McIsaac (C), David Te Moana, Pat O'Connor, Chris O'Young, Alexander Peden, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Angus Scott, Brett Stapleton, Ben Ward, John Welborn, AJ Whalley, Matt Windle
*Junior Pelesasa, Lachlan MacKay and Luke Doherty were not considered for selection because of injury.
**Nathan Sharpe, Brendan Cannon, Scott Fava, David Fitter, Matt Henjak, Digby Ioane, Scott Staniforth and Cameron Shepherd were not considered for selection.
Kick-off is at 7pm.
Mitchell confident in Force
From Fox Sports
By Tim Clarke
January 20, 2006
WESTERN Force, Australia's newest Super 14 rugby team, takes the field tomorrow night for its first competitive hit-out, with coach John Mitchell saying the trial offers a chance for his young hopefuls to find out what the competition is all about.
Force will play fellow Super 14 rookie Central Cheetahs, from South Africa, with 19 of the 27 players named by Mitchell making their first appearance at representative level.
Of the eight players with Super 12 experience, only second rowers John Welborn and David Pusey and prop Angus Scott have played more than 20 games.
Mitchell said he had no qualms about blooding his youngsters against a sizeable Cheetahs unit - which includes experienced front-row forwards Os du Randt, Ollie Le Roux and Trevor Leota, who have all been named on the bench.
"We don't put the throttle on too heavy in training in terms of shoulder contact," said Mitchell, who has deliberately built up to the match carefully.
"It is more about getting some success ... at training without smashing each other, and looking after the welfare of the players.
"Now is the opportunity to really have a crack.
"Ever since the Western Force have received the bid, it has been an opportunity to grow young men - and to give 19 guys their first ever opportunity on the weekend at this level is fantastic.
"The hardest thing for a lot of young men in any professional sport, or young women, is to get an opportunity.
"All these boys now have an opportunity, and I guess it is up to them to seize that opportunity, regardless of the size of the Cheetahs."
Coming off a 48-0 mauling of the Southern Spears last weekend, the Cheetahs boast four incumbent Springboks in their lineup, with fly half Meyer Bosman, scrum half Michael Claasens, Du Randt and flanker Juan Smith all winning an international cap in the past year.
Additionally, coach Rassie Erasmus can call on Keith Lowen, a one-time All Black, and the mercurial Gaffie du Toit.
Mitchell, though, is not worried.
"We do have the artillery to match that," he said.
"We are still growing and still going through a lot of growing pains as an organisation because this is brand new to all of us.
"We will be totally better for this experience after the weekend."
