O’Connor, Pusey back for Force

[WF2006]

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Friday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 5 clash with the Crusaders at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Mitchell has named three changes to the starting XV following his side’s 31-13 defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday, two of which are to the forward pack.

51-match veteran David Pusey will start at lock for the first time since the final match of the 2008 season, replacing Tom Hockings who moves to the reserves bench for the battle with the seven-time Super rugby champions.

2009 recruit Richard Stanford is set for his first run on appearance in his new colours after winning a chance at blindside flanker.

Stanford’s selection in the number 6 jersey pushes Tamaiti Horua back to Number 8, a position he has played just once in his 10 appearances for the WA side.

Last week’s Number 8 Matt Hodgson returns to the bench.

Mitchell has also made one change to his backs, recalling James O’Connor at inside centre and returning Junior Pelesasa to the reserves bench.

O’Connor last started in the number 12 jersey against the Cheetahs in Week 2, and saw just 21 minutes of action against the Chiefs last week after not taking the field in the Week 3 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.

Mitchell said despite their injury concerns, the Crusaders will be desperate for victory on the weekend to keep pace with the competition leaders.

“History shows they don’t often suffer repeat losses and they’ll be throwing everything at us on Saturday night,” said Mitchell.

“What’s important is that we respond with the same urgency and finish our tour with a strong performance after our result in Hamilton.”

The 23-man touring squad will depart Queenstown today, where they have spent the past four days preparing for the clash with the defending champions, and hold their final training session at AMI Stadium tomorrow.

2009 Investec Super 14 Week 5

Emirates Western Force v Crusaders

Saturday 14 March, 2009

AMI Stadium, Christchurch, NZ

Kick off: 5.30pm NZ (1.30pm AWDST)

Emirates Western Force

1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Ben Castle
4. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Stanford
7. David Pocock
8. Tamaiti Horua

9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. James O’Connor
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Drew Mitchell

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Tom Hockings
19. Matt Hodgson
20. Chris O’Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. Haig Sare

[jargan83]

still no spanner?

[WF2006]

Any opinions from those that know better than me about scrummaging on Pek at 1?? My uninformed opinion is he isn't making the grade??

[The InnFORCEr]

Pusey will have plenty to prove, I expect a large game from him this week.

xxxxxx

Be great to reverse the score from 2007
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[GIGS20]

Junior can be rightly pissed at being dropped from that squad, the outside 4 were the ones dropping off tackles left and right! I guess the Forwards are a little closer to the mark, Hodgeo didn't have a great game, Puse and Stanford are probably there to try and sort the issues in the lineout!

[AndyS]

Stanford for Hodgson perhaps, but Pusey for Hocking is about the line-out? More likely the breakdown I would have thought, casting minds back to what Filipo did last time.

[prop53]

again looks good on paper

[normie]

again looks good on paper

Yes, it does despite not being our 'best'; Hope we look as good on the grass!!!!!

[oxleymoron]

Hope we look as good on the grass!!!!!

Any green leaves in your cigarettes, Normie?

[TommyM]

I reckon Cross should be dropped after his recent form and Pelasasa given a shot at 13 this week

[The Ethicist]

Any opinions from those that know better than me about scrummaging on Pek at 1?? My uninformed opinion is he isn't making the grade??

Still learning. It takes a few years to learn all the dirty tricks, what to do when it's happening to you and how to dish it out. Technique and core strength take years to develop. He's coming along pretty well. Not a lot of options. Might as well let him earn his stripes and run up game time
The Force scrum was sensational last week. They blow hot and cold.

[travelling_gerry]

2 tight heads ya gotta be happy with.

[shasta]

I think Pek is coming along OK. Horua hopefully to give us some strong carries and Pusey to put a bit of mongrel back into the breakdown.

[James]

With Hardy out there is not really any choice but Cowan. Besides which he has a great level of aggression and has a lot of potential.

I didn't think Hockings did much last weekend. We weren't that strong in the line-outs, we were smashed at the breakdown despite Pocock and Hodgson seeming to play reasonably well (someone mustn't have been working hard enough).

I may have been blinded by my own frustration but didn't Pelesasa drop a couple of passes that would have seen him tear through the Chiefs defense? I specifically remember one he took at pace on the gain line that would have made him hard to bring down.

Pretty happy with the selections myself.

[BeeJay]

Let's get this clear - the game's on saturday right?