Western Force v Lions

[no.8]

Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 3 clash with the Lions at Ellis Park, Johannesburg (1.30am WA kick off).

The Lions are the only South African side yet to be conquered by the Perth-based team, having played out a 34-all draw in 2006 before last year’s one-point victory by the Lions at Subiaco Oval.

Mitchell has stuck to his plan to utilise his full squad on the South Africa tour by once again altering his starting XV, most notably in the forward pack.

Gareth Hardy, Luke Holmes and Troy Takiari will form the third unique starting front row combination for the WA team this season, with Holmes to make his run on debut at hooker.

Australian Under 21s star Tom Hockings earns his third consecutive starting appearance at lock alongside skipper Nathan Sharpe, who celebrated his 30th birthday today.

In yet another shuffle of the back row, Mitchell has awarded Matt Hodgson his first starting XV berth for the 2008 season at openside flanker, with new recruit Tamaiti Horua to start his first match for the Emirates Western Force at Number 8.

Versatile back rower Scott Fava returns to blindside flanker after playing from the reserves bench in last week’s thrilling one-point victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Cameron Shepherd’s return from a knee ligament injury has paved the way for several positional changes in the backs.

Shepherd will again assume the fullback role, with last week’s Man of the Match Drew Mitchell returning to the left wing.

Coach John Mitchell has retained his scrum base duo of James Stannard and Matt Giteau, while Scott Staniforth and Ryan Cross have been reunited in the midfield.

Mitchell said that his planned squad rotation during the South Africa tour had so far reaped rewards.

“We’ve been delighted with the attitude and the improvement of the group during this tour,” said Mitchell

“Players like Wykes, Stannard, Hockings and Cummins deserved their opportunities and all have future growth in them,” he said.

Mitchell is under no allusion that the Lions won’t be “up” for Friday night’s contest, despite their drubbing at the hands of the Blues last Saturday.

“If I know the (South African) mentality pretty well, they (the Lions) will come out pretty fired up and determined to rebound from a disappointing performance last week.

It’s important we don’t get intimidated by that and maintain the focus on what we’re good at and what we need to do to win.”

The team will return to Perth on Sunday (2 March, 12.30pm) following Friday night’s South Africa tour finale in Johannesburg.

Overall head to head: Played 2, Lions 1, Drawn 1.

Last met: 24 February 2007, Lions 25 def EWF 24, Subiaco Oval, Perth.

Emirates Western Force v Lions

Friday 29 February, 2008

Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick off: 6.30pm (1.30am WA Sat 1 Mar)

Emirates Western Force

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Luke Holmes
3. Troy Takiari

4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)

6. Scott Fava
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Tamaiti Horua

9. James Stannard
10. Matt Giteau (vc)

11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins

15. Cameron Shepherd

Reserves

16. Tai McIsaac
17. AJ Whalley
18. Sam Wykes
19. Richard Brown
20. David Pocock

21. Scott Daruda
22. Lachlan MacKay

[no.8]

The Auto & General Super 14 Lions welcome back Ernst Joubert to captain them against the Western Force in Friday night's Vodacom Super 14 match at Ellis Park.

The inspirational 'follow-my-lead' flank makes a welcome return to the lineup after missing out the first two matches through injury, and his leadership will play a vital role against the Western Force who will be looking to finish their South African tour on a high.

Both sides have a won-one, lost-one record, and as one of the best Australian sides in the tournament, the Perth side will be full value for money. The home side, aware of their showing against the Blues last week will look to pick their game up a notch, and with captain Joubert back in the fold, as well as a starting berth for eighthman Joe van Niekerk who has been in outstanding form in his two games off the bench, his return to Johannesburg has marked a resurgence of form.

Starting XV:

15. Louis Ludik
14. Dusty Noble
13. Jaco Pretorius (Vice Capt)
12. Doppies la Grange
11. Rayno Benjamin
10. Louis Strydom
9. Jano Vermaak
8. Joe van Niekerk
7. Ernst Joubert (Captain)
6. Cobus Grobbelaar
5. Willem Stoltz
4. Gerhard Mostert
3. Ross Geldenhuys
2. Willie Wepener
1. Heinke van der Merwe

Reserves:

16. Ethienne Reynecke
17. Gert Andries van der Merwe
18. Franco van der Merwe
19. Willem Alberts
20. Chris Jonck
21. Earl Rose
22. Jaco van Schalkwyk

[Thequeerone]

Wot no Chris O Young !

[The EnForcer]

I just heard on the radio that O'Young was in the starting line up!?

[JediKnight]

I just heard on the radio that O'Young was in the starting line up!?

I heard that too!

[jargan83]

After Stannard's great game last weekend he deserves another run.

They could still be bringing Chris O Young up to speed with the ELV's

[goony]

i haven't actually had a chance to watch a full game yet but has Lachie actually had any game time??

[jargan83]

Just another example of the media not checking their facts. Although i heard on the radio that Shepherd was back in the side before i looked here

[no.8]

Did the radio say Chucky was injured or that COY and Chucky had a straight swap?

[jargan83]

All i heard on radio was that Shep was back in the side, no mention of Chucky or COY

[GIGS20]

I'm wondering about Bamm Bamm.....He's in my fantasy side, and I'm not sure whether to keep him on the park, or change him to Broussow (trades completed this week due to injuries) I reckon Bamm Bamm might get more points off the bench than Broussow will in the whole match!

[Swee_82]

Yay for Shep and Boof back in the team. Yay for Chucky getting another start (definately deserves it). My fantasy teams starting to come back together again (after losing about 6 players to injury, rotation and fremantle brain explosions last week). Is it me, or does it look like Mitch is impressed with the Hockings style- 3 starts when everyone else is getting moved around every week?

[unipirate]

This looks like a pretty promising line up I think!!

Mitchell definately has it right here with Ryan Cross back in the centres!! I feel he is lost on the wing, and Drew is a much better player there, plus having Shepard keeping the backs is always great!

Well done to Stannard if he is definately in the starting line up!! When i saw him play in the preseason, I was thinking to myself why the hell he was the reserves scrum-half!!!

Can't wait for the game now!

[GIGS20]

Is it me, or does it look like Mitch is impressed with the Hockings style- 3 starts when everyone else is getting moved around every week?

I think it's that Tom is a lock, not a converted back rower......Puse really has the shape and style of a 6 or an 8, more than a lock, Tom just screams Lock, he'll be the next generation for us in that position, and he's stepping up to the mark nicely....Mitch knows his second row rugby and I would think he understands the importance of that position in the team perfectly. I guess it'd be easy for him to overestimate their importance, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

And Tom called the lineouts against the Sharks...how's that for a welcome to Super 14!

[jargan83]

No pressure