Hill Out of Sharks Match

Emirates Western Force flyhalf David Hill will miss the club’s final match of the season against the Sharks with an ankle injury.

Hill aggravated his ankle against the Lions a fortnight ago and again against the Cheetahs last weekend and had been on light duties in Durban. He did not participate in Thursday’s Captain’s Run at Absa Stadium and has been replaced in the starting side by Mark Bartholomeusz, with Dane Haylett-Petty coming in as a reserve.

“I certainly would have liked to have been out there playing with the boys for the last game of the season and what will also be my final match for the club, but it’s not to be,” Hill said.

“The ankle has flared up in the last couple of weeks and unfortunately it just hasn’t healed well enough to be out there on Friday.”

Hill joined the Emirates Western Force in round five, on loan from Japanese club Toshiba, as a replacement for injured marquee player Andre Pretorius, and brought stability to the playmaker role. He gained plenty admirers in the Force supporters ‘sea of blue’ with an after the siren drop goal to secure a heart stopping victory against the Stormers at ME Bank Stadium.

Following a job well done with the Force, the 31 year old will now head back to Japan to continue his career with Toshiba.

“It has been really good, a great experience,” Hill said of his decision to come to the Emirates Western Force.

“I suppose it could have gone either way not having played Super Rugby for a while but it obviously worked out really well and is something that I’ll remember for a long time. The Force is a great environment and there are quality people in the organisation and I was really happy to have been part of it this season.

“As a team we’ve spent a lot of time together in a short period so you end up getting to know people pretty well. Like most teams you play with you end up forming friendships for life.

“After this round I’ll be heading back to New Zealand to have a break for a couple of weeks and then to Japan on June 1st for pre-season training.

“It’ll be a long 12 months in the end but it has been well worth coming to Perth and I’ll leave with plenty of fond memories,” said Hill.

The remainder of the Emirates Western Force squad completed a sharp session on Thursday and Bartholomeusz controlled proceeding with aplomb. The match against the Sharks rounds out the club’s 2010 season and the Force have the opportunity to notch their fifth win of the campaign.

2010 Investec Bank Super 14 – Round 14
The Sharks v Emirates Western Force
Friday, 14 May 2010 at Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 7.10pm (SAST) / 1.10am (Saturday, 15 May 2010 - AWST)

Referee: Pro Legoete

Emirates Western Force Squad
1 Pek Cowan
2 Ben Whittaker
3 Tim Fairbrother
4 Ben McCalman
5 Nathan Sharpe
6 Matt Hodgson
7 David Pocock
8 Richard Brown
9 Brett Sheehan
10 Mark Bartholomeusz
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Ryan Cross
13 Mitch Inman
14 Nick Cummins
15 James O’Connor
Reserves
16 Nathan Charles (FR)
17 Matt Dunning (FR)
18 Sam Wykes
19 Tom Hockings
20 Justin Turner
21 Sam Harris
22 Dane Haylett-Petty

I have faith in MB

Wish I knew that when I was doing my transfers :S

Great forward pack i hope this can be kept togther next season we need some consistency with our squad..... back gee not too sure where to start as only JOC , Cummins and DHP has committed to next season ? not too sure.
Mark B u will have play out of your skin the Sharks will be on to u

Shame for Hill to end his season this way. Thanks for your help, David. I'm sure you'll receive a warm welcome if you're ever back in Perth.

Agree. Best pack we can put on the park. Apart from not having Hill, the backs look sharp too.

Great comments from Hilly - they will help our recruiting plans to hear someone like him speak about the organisation, the environment, and the players.

cheers bud.
and cheers chrisso as well.
he has played his last game of S14 rugby as well.

always a pint for you at the bowlo