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Emirates Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe has been forced out of tonight’s season-opening Investec Super 14 clash with a stomach virus.
The veteran of 94 Super Rugby caps will be replaced in the starting lineup by Australian Under 21 lock Tom Hockings, who will make his Super 14 debut in front of an expected crowd of over 45,000 at ABSA Stadium in Durban.
The forced change will see Matt Giteau make his debut as captain of the Emirates Western Force, while hooker Tai McIsaac has been elevated to the vice captaincy role.
Bugger!
Mind you, I don't know if anyone else has thought of this but that means that the Force are playing with a forward pack that is almost completely made up of our ARC squad. Thats got to count for something having a strong team-ness and familiarity with ELV rules.
Last edited by James; 16-02-08 at 00:08. Reason: Second thought
shit. hes gotta be gutted
Didn't think of that James. Very good observation and certainly gives a confidence boost or two!
It's a real shame for Sharpie but a huge opportunity for big Tom. Will be an amazing experience for him and I wish him all the best!
Less than an hour to go!![]()
I made Happy sad...
hahaha are you just killing time as well jess?
there's a few of us keeping the brain active on the site just now!
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!
anyone on msn? ive got nobody at the moment
Yeah I was just killing time... and now, following 3 red bulls and all the excitement of the last 10 mins of play... I can't sleep!
Gotta get up for work in 4 hours. *sigh*
Disappointing result. Thought we had them when we were only 4 points down with the momentum. Damn Francois and his long distance kicking ability! 59m!
Thought Bam Bam, Cummings and Cross played exceptionally well tonight. Will elaborate tomorrow on feelings about the game in a relevent thread and for now I'll try watch terrible television until I nod off.
Night everyone and sweet dreams (in which we beat the Sharks of course)
PS. Jono... feel free to add me to msn. Click on the MSN icon under the vcash on the left![]()
I made Happy sad...
Yeah I agree that Pocock, Cummins and Crossy were great. I thought the showing from Timani was really good and I was impressed by how mobile he was. I'd have given Fava the man of the match from the Force players. I thought he played pretty well all-round.
Another thing to notice with Sharpie gone is that we don't really have a 'line-out technician' type in his absence. Pusey and Hockings seems to play more of the enforcer role rather than being dominant in the air. Maybe its something they will pick up with experience. But the poor guys had their line-out torn to shreds.
Ball not in straight also didnt help in the scheme of things.
the punters friend..... stick with me and you will be wearing
Yeah. I'd have said we lost about 4 or 5 balls to steals or not-straights.
If Sharpie was there I reckon we'd have only lost maybe one of our own and thus taking the pressure off and making less skewed throw-ins. I'd wager he'd have pinched at least one or two for himself too. It's a shame Rudi is gone too because he was quite good at stealing opposition ball.
I thought all our young guns stood up really well. I'd be interested to see the average number of S14 caps in that team, we sure blooded a number from the bench, and we didn't seem to lose anything by bringing them on That's gotta be a good sign.
Also bug wraps for Chucky, this week wouldv'e been a killer for him, with the uncertainty of whether he'd start etc....and to come on late, with us down, and all the pressure on...I think he did an awesome job....Bamm BammMOM for mine, but closely followed by a group of players who were good all night beyond expectation, Nicky Cummins, Tom Hockings, Sita, Chucky....Runner up MOM for "The Debutantes" in my opinion
C'mon the![]()
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i havent seen the game yet, but in a way wouldnt the fact that out line out was "torn to shreds" be a wake up call to say that we need to work harder in that area to train pusey or hockings so they are able to step and and really control the lineout if god forbid sharpie isnt there?