Hilgendorf Returns for Brumbies Battle, Windle Debuts

Emirates Western Force flyhalf James Hilgendorf returns to the starting line-up for the Australian Provincial Championship match against the Brumbies on Friday night in Canberra.

The 24 year old, who switched from fullback to flyhalf half way through the Tooheys New Super 14 season with instant effect, comes back into the side after recovering from a hand injury and replaces Scott Daruda, who moves to fullback.

Making his debut for the Emirates Western Force at Viking Park will be lock Matt Windle, the 28 year old Cottesloe and former Gold Coast Breaker whose year has been plagued by injury.

Windle will team up with Pat O’Connor in the second row, and replaces captain Luke Doherty who returns to his more regular position at blindside flanker.

Australian U19 openside flanker David Pocock, who had an impressive performance in the Emirates Western Force’s 32-6 win over the Queensland Reds last Saturday, will shift to the bench, making way for Matt Hodgson.

In other changes, Haig Sare shifts from fullback to outside centre and blindside flanker Josh Fuimaono moves to the bench.

Emirates Western Force APC coach John Mulvihill said that despite victory over the Reds, post-game analysis showed plenty of room for improvement.

“We don’t dwell on the past but it’s important that we maintain the momentum from that game, and nothing short of an improved performance against the Brumbies will be acceptable,” he said.

The squad is:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Angus Scott
4. Pat O’Connor
5. Matt Windle
6. Luke Doherty (c)
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Richard Brown

9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Brett Stapleton
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Haig Sare
14. Digby Ioane
15. Scott Daruda

16. AJ Whalley
17. Troy Takiari
18. Josh Fuimaono
19. David Pocock
20. Jon McGrath
21. Vitori Buatava
22. Josh Graham

EDITOR’S NOTE

Wallabies Management has advised that Scott Staniforth and Scott Fava are not to play against the Brumbies.

At this stage, Wallabies Management has advised that Staniforth and Fava, along with Cameron Shepherd and Tai McIsaac, will be available for the game against the Waratahs on Saturday week.

Wallabies Management has advised that Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell will not be available for any APC games.

Reading like a pretty handy side for us.
If we can get a win up here then we are looking the goods for the Final in Perth.
Ideally we will have woken the Reds out of their slumber to encourage them to an upset over the Tahs (sorry boys ;) ) as well and then we are assured of a berth!

Clash of the utilities in APC
September 13, 2006

WESTERN Force utility back James Hilgendorf will return from a broken hand at five-eighth in Friday night's APC clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

Super 14 playmaker Hilgendorf, sidelined for a month, will go head to head with fellow utility Julian Huxley as both sides reshuffled their backlines after opening-round victories.

Huxley moves from fullback to No.10 for the Brumbies, shifting Gene Fairbanks to the centres with Adam Ashley-Cooper following last week's 14-13 win over NSW.

Hilgendorf's return sees Scott Daruda, an impressive playmaker in the 32-6 win over Queensland, move from five-eighth to full back and Haig Sare take Josh Graham's place at outside centre.

In one of three changes to the starting pack, former Gold Coast lock Matt Windle will make a belated debut for the Force after an injury-plagued season.

Despite the four-tries-to-one win at Ballymore, Force APC coach John Mulvihill warned there was plenty of room for improvement.

"We don't dwell on the past but it's important that we maintain the momentum from that game, and nothing short of an improved performance against the Brumbies will be acceptable," he said.

Giant back rower Jone Tawake will make his return from hand and knee surgery off the Brumbies bench, which also includes auditioning 203cm lock Liam Shaw, the son of Wallabies legend Tony.

AAP

I might try and do a bit of reseach of experience match ups of both teams here.....watch this space.....

With the Roosters now out of the NRL for 2006, I wonder when we will see Ryan Cross head West?
Apart from Pre-Season fixtures, these would be ideal matches to get some Union experience in him, perhaps even just off the bench.

A book is open for this match here: http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=4339

Player Lists here: http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?t=4351

I agree Burgs, the sooner he starts getting match time, the sooner he will become accustomed to the rigours of Union....

From RugbyWA
15th September 2006

The Emirates Western Force have made two changes to the squad for tonight’s clash with the Brumbies in Canberra after Junior Pelesasa and Matt Hodgson were ruled out through injury.

Pelesasa suffered a quad strain at training after last week’s 32-6 victory over the Queensland Reds. Haig Sare will start at inside centre in Pelesasa’s absence, with Josh Graham moving from the bench to outside centre and James Stannard coming in as a reserve.

Hodgson strained a calf muscle at Thursday’s Captain’s Run, ruling him out of the 22 man squad. David Pocock, who started last week’s win at openside flanker, returns to that role after initially being named as a substitute, and Kiti Fuluna comes onto the bench.

The squad is:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Angus Scott
4. Pat O'Connor
5. Matt Windle
6. Luke Doherty (c)
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Brett Stapleton
12. Haig Sare
13. Josh Graham
14. Digby Ioane
15. Scott Daruda

16. AJ Whalley
17. Troy Takiari
18. Josh Fuimaono
19. Kiti Fuluna
20. Jon McGrath
21. Vitori Buatava
22. James Stannard

Cool to hear Jimmy's gunna get the flyhalf spot again. It was astounding to see the difference in the backline with him there, I couldn't really tell exactly what the difference was, but it worked! Imagine how the brumbies are gunna hurt with the sort of quality increase that's on offer outside him now! I can't wait to see Jimmy slip the ball to Gits with Mitch (jnr) outside him, add Spanner to the mix and it's a genuine world class backline in our second season

JUICY!