26-Man Emirates Western Force South Africa Touring Squad Announced

[GIGS20]

I don't mind admitting I'm almost wetting my pants in anticipation.....I can predict that not much work will be completed by Living Waters' premier IT teacher on Friday!

Go the Force!

[inactive]

Cant Wait good luck boys and hope they kick butt to overcome all the past problems!!!

[Burgs]

With all the off field hoo-har there hasn't been much notice taken of those who have been selected to travel, including the inclusion of Cottesloe and Perth Spirits Sitaleki Timani, unless that's a typo and they meant Josh Tatupu?
If Tatupu is unfit then our only other backs are the two rookies Dane Haylett-Petty and James O'Connor.

Of the listed squad and assuming the strongest 22 against the Sharks and all are fully fit, I would be looking towards:

Burgs XV

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Scott Fava
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau (vc)
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. AJ Whalley
17. Luke Holmes
18. Tom Hockings
19. Matt Hodgson
20. James Stannard
21. Scott Daruda
22. Lachlan MacKay

[James]

Looks good Burgs. I think Mitch was pretty keen on a 5 forwards/2 backs on the bench so I'd expect another backrower like Scott Fardy to be in there and perhaps only one of Daruda and Mackay (they are both realistically 10 and 12 players anyway).

On the topic of Henjak once the Sharks game is over I fully expect the Force to either send him home or bench him. While you can never count your chickens against any team in the Super 14 we have a squad that far outclasses anything the Lions or Cheetahs can throw at us. God the Lions with Andre Pretorius, Jaque Fourie and Ernst Joubert are seriously going to struggle. Those three would probably be both the three first choice captains and the only three Springboks in the Lions. Its like imagining what the Force would be like without Sharpie, Gits and Shepherd.

[GIGS20]

I think the same thing about Henners James.....it's smart because it eases the pressure on Chucky and gives them more time to settle him down in training......That's why I'd have him on the bench, it'd be good to blood him once the match is sealed and let him have a run with the boys against quality opposition before throwing him to the Lions (or Cheetahs)

Henners will face a tribunal early after the match I'm sure, Haig will be able to communicate and they'll either do it by videoconference (my personal tip) or fly Henners home......I would suspect that several of the witnesses will be in Durban though so VC is the most likely option

[inactive]

god we have a strong team we better do some good with it!!