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McIsaac to earn 50th cap with Force against Stormers
Wednesday 26 March 2008
Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 7 clash with the Stormers at Subiaco Oval
The WA side will be hoping to celebrate career milestones for Captain Nathan Sharpe (100 Super caps) and Tai McIsaac (50 Super caps) with victory in its second appearance at home in the 2008 season.
The clash with the eight-placed Stormers is the first of three consecutive matches at Subiaco Oval for the Perth-based team, with matches against the Bulls (April 4) and Waratahs (April 12) to follow.
Mitchell has made minor adjustments to his starting XV after last week’s eight-point triumph over the Highlanders.
Scrumhalf Chris O’Young has again been named in the number 9 jersey but will need to prove his fitness at tomorrow’s final training session after pulling out of the Queenstown clash with a shoulder strain.
Scott Daruda, who will sign a new two-year contract with the Emirates Western Force tomorrow, has been elevated from the reserves bench to start at inside centre.
It will be Daruda’s third appearance in the number 12 jersey this season, while back rower Scott Fava returns to the blindside flank.
Coach John Mitchell said his side was hoping to treat the Perth crowd to a strong performance in its first home match in three weeks.
“Our fans haven’t seen much of us at home this season but the team is really looking forward to backing up our form overseas with a strong performance against the Stormers on Friday night,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said the Stormers will be determined to complete their Australasian tour with a win.
“The Stormers have shown that they are capable of beating anyone in the competition and they have toured quite well,” he said.
“They are probably the best attacking team in South Africa so we are under no allusions as to the threat they pose to us on Friday night.”
Overall head to head: Played 2, EWF 1, Stormers 1.
Last met: 10 February 2007, EWF 22 def Stormers 3, Subiaco Oval, Perth.
Emirates Western Force v Stormers
Friday 28 March, 2008<BR>Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick off: 8pm (10pm AEDT)
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan,2. Tai McIsaac,3. AJ Whalley,4. Tom Hockings,5. Nathan Sharpe (c),6. Scott Fava,7. David Pocock,8. Richard Brown,9. Chris O’Young,10. Matt Giteau (vc),11. Drew Mitchell,12. Scott Daruda,13. Ryan Cross,14. Scott Staniforth,15. Cameron Shepherd
Reserves:16. Luke Holmes,17. Troy Takiari,18. Sam Wykes,19. Tamaiti Horua,20. James Stannard,21. Lachlan MacKay,22. Nick Cummins.
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Originally Posted by travelling_gerry
and he is their highest capped player
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 