Force make three changes

[laura]

Force make three changes
20/03/2008 12:49:38 PM
Sportal

Western Force coach John Mitchell has introduced three new faces for his side's away clash with the Highlanders on Saturday in a bid to keep the team fresh.

Mitchell has made subtle changes for the Force's fifth match on the road in the opening six weeks of the season.

David Pocock has overcome a hamstring strain and returns to the openside flank after missing the Perth side's groundbreaking first victory on Kiwi soil over the Blues last weekend.

Twenty-one-year-old Kiwi-born prop Pek Cowan has been handed the No.1 jersey for the second time this season, while Chris O'Young makes a return to the starting XV at scrumhalf.

In a reshuffle of the back row, Tamaiti Horua has been recalled to the blindside flank while Scott Fava reverts to the bench.

"At this stage of the season, after five games on the road, we've got to monitor the condition of our players and we've brought in some fresh legs this week to energise the group," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the Highlanders' winless start to the season would count for little come kickoff.

"The Highlanders are a team that will keep fighting until the last minute," Mitchell said.

"Their position on the ladder is a little misleading because they've been in a position to win every one of their matches so far this season."

"They've lost each match by seven points or less and will be absolutely desperate to pick up their first win."



From foxsports;
Saturday
Highlanders v Force at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown
LIVE on Fox Sports 3 (1230 EDT)

Highlanders:
1. Jamie Mackintosh
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Chris King
4. Hoani MacDonald
5. Tom Donnelly
6. Craig Newby (capt)
7. Tim Boys
8. Steven Setephano

9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Daniel Bowden
11. Fetu'u Vainikolo
12. Aaron Bancroft
13. Niva Ta'auso
14. Paul Williams
15. James Wilson

Replacements:
16. David Hall
17. Keith Cameron
18. Hayden Triggs
19. Adam Thomson
20. Toby Morland
21. Mike Delany
22. Brett Mather

Force:
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. AJ Whalley
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Tamaiti Horua
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown

9. Chris O'Young
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Lachlan MacKay
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Cameron Shepherd

Replacements:
16. Luke Holmes
17. Troy Takiari
18. Sam Wykes
19. Scott Fava
20. James Stannard
21. Scott Daruda
22. Nick Cummins


Referee: Mark Lawrence

[no.8]

Yahoo! Go Force.

I like the combination.

[KenyaQuin]

Force make three changes
20/03/2008 12:49:38 PM
Sportal


Mitchell said the Highlanders' winless start to the season would count for little come kickoff.

"The Highlanders are a team that will keep fighting until the last minute," Mitchell said.

"Their position on the ladder is a little misleading because they've been in a position to win every one of their matches so far this season."

"They've lost each match by seven points or less and will be absolutely desperate to pick up their first win."

I must say I hate these games against the bottom end teams. The expectations tend to be pretty high which means the fall will be a little more painful than a loss to the Crusaders. Having said that, I can't help but be highly expectant..I'm sure that makes sense. C'ARN FORCE!

[inactive]

Should be good game but still not happy with the line up

[laura]

why so MainGame?

[.X.]

I am with you MG - I would be happier with Spanner at 13 too

[WF2006]

I'm in agreeance with MG and Exile
Spanner should be 12
Cummins should be 14

I also thought Horua looked the goods at 8, though I guess Browns form in the last couple of weeks is hard to ignore. Fava can feel a little hard done by collecting splinters.

Definitely agree with O'Youngs move into the XV. Chucky made a couple of bad calls last week that were true inexperience (the run all by himself and THAT kick!)

[BLR]

Give McKay the run, Spanner won't be getting 12 in the Wallabies I don't think plus McKay will hopefully play himself into form, if push comes to shove we can put Spanner in 12 to get us over the line...

[MI5_Dog]

I'm with you BLR! While you have to take each game seriously it's also important to experiment with your lineup a little against teams that aren't as much of a threat.

It will also give some players more confidence.

[BaldCunus]

Good on Pek for pushing his way into starting XV thought he was awesome when he came on against Blues, Just hope he performs better then his last start this season...

[The EnForcer]

I'm with you BLR! While you have to take each game seriously it's also important to experiment with your lineup a little against teams that aren't as much of a threat.

It will also give some players more confidence.

There is always a danger of getting too confident, which I hope we never do. It doesn't look good from a public opinion point of view and in super 14 every team is in with a chance in every game.

On team selection I will ask questions about certain choices but I will not bag them....JM is god!

[KenyaQuin]

Give McKay the run, Spanner won't be getting 12 in the Wallabies I don't think plus McKay will hopefully play himself into form, if push comes to shove we can put Spanner in 12 to get us over the line...

With you too, MacKay at 12 will give us more attacking options (as I've advocated before) and against so-called weaker opposition, as we have this weekend, we need to persevere and get it down pat. If this doesn't work out or if it doesn't suit certain opposition, Spanner can then be brought in as the second option.

[kelv]

The force wouldn't have won without o young last week. Fava has been good and is very unlucky to be on the bench. I don't know if Mckay will ever be as good as he was all those injuries have taken a bit of pace out of the legs, i hope he proves me wrong.

[The EnForcer]

Is Pusey injured or out of favour?

[allsaints]

Fava was outstanding at 6 last week - I think Tamaita is great off the bench after Fava has had 55-60mns. Spanner should be 12 and Cummins in and we have close to our best. Mackay gives more attacking options alright but unfortunately for the opposition! I thought the most underated player last week was Hockings - he just keeps getting better & better (learning off Sharpie) - maybe loss of Vickerman won't be so bad as I think the Qld country boy can go all the way.
Next thing the bloody Reds will put their hand up for him to play along side Horwill.
Have we got him on a long contract?