26-MAN EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE SOUTH AFRICA TOURING SQUAD ANNOUNCED

[RugbyWA]

Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named a 26-strong squad for a 13-day tour of South Africa for matches against the Bulls and Stormers.

The WA side will open their tour against the second-placed Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday night (11.05pm WST), in what will be the club’s 50th Investec Super 14 match since entering the competition in 2006.

From there the team will converge on Cape Town to play the twelfth-placed Stormers in a Week 13 clash at Newlands Stadium.

The squad will depart Perth in two groups tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow night and will be based in Pretoria until Sunday, before flying to Cape Town where they will spend the entire week preparing for the Stormers clash.

The squad will return to Perth on Tuesday 12 May, ahead of the final round clash with Highlanders at Subiaco Oval on Saturday 16 May.

Mitchell said his side faces a stern challenge in its pursuit of a first ever Super 14 finals appearance.

“We’ve got two very difficult games in South Africa, starting with the Bulls at altitude and then on to one of the best rugby venues in the world to play the Stormers,” he said.

“The Bulls are always a very difficult proposition at this time of year and always get strong support at home. They love the big occasion and we are fully aware of the challenge they present us,” he said.

“Then we’ve got the Stormers who would have been boosted by their win last week and will be looking forward to getting home after a long tour and finishing strongly.”

“For us it’s simple. It’s very much a must win scenario from now on (to make the finals). I’ve enjoyed watching the boys play some good rugby over the past few weeks but we need to continue to be attack-focussed and continue with the same approach we’ve taken into those games.”

“We’ve given ourselves a chance, and a number of teams are in the same position. We just have to make the most of our opportunity.”

26-man Emirates Western Force South Africa tour squad

Richard Brown, Ben Castle, Pek Cowan, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Tamaiti Horua, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, James O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock, Haig Sare, Nathan Sharpe (c), Cameron Shepherd, Richard Stanford, Scott Staniforth, Josh Tatupu, Josh Valentine, AJ Whalley, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.

Unavailable due to injury: Nick Cummins

[laura]

About time DHP got a look in, good to see him, Pelesasa & Tatupu in the squad. Shame Daruda missed out though.

[.X.]

Wasnt DHP unavailable due to selection in the Wallabies 7 squad?

[lara93]

yeah
but now hes back!
hope he gets a run

[laura]

Yes but I'm pretty sure he's been available for selection since he came back from the Adelaide 7s. I expected him to be on the bench last week, with Cummins out injured.

[Jasper]

Did I see something about DHP scoring 3 trys for Sydney Uni last week?

[tdevil]

Did I see something about DHP scoring 3 trys for Sydney Uni last week?

Gordon v Southern Districts

Gordon has outclassed Southern Districts in the second half to record a 53-13 victory at Chatswood Oval.

The Rebels put in a strong performance to trail by just four at the break, however couldn't trouble the scorers in the second half.

Western Force flyer Dane Haylett-Perry scored a hat-trick in his first outing for 2009, while Dave Harvey maintained his impressive start to the year with an 18-point haul.

Scorers:

Gordon:
Tries: Dane Haylett-Petty 3, Lachie Mitchell, Mark Preston, Dave Alo, Dave Harvey, Nath Nicol
Cons: Dave Harvey 5
Pen: Dave Harvey

Southern Districts:
Try: Jackson Mullane
Con: Nathan Sievert
Pens: Nathan Sievert 2

[Jasper]

Gordon - even better

[gotheforce]

Gordon v Southern Districts

Southern Districts:
Try: Jackson MullaneCon: Nathan Sievert
Pens: Nathan Sievert 2

Isn't he the gladiator guy who used to play for the Perth Spirit?

[Swee_82]

With all due respect to Gordon and DHP, beating Southern Districts ain't a hard task

[gotheforce]

Notice Luke Holmes has lost out to Ben Whittaker in ranks.
His form hasnt been the greatest and to be honest, I think he needs to buck up his scrummaging and general play.
Am excited to see how Ben Whittaker does. Didnt get to see much of him last week.

[travelling_gerry]

Isn't he the gladiator guy who used to play for the Perth Spirit?

Yup

[lara93]

Notice Luke Holmes has lost out to Ben Whittaker in ranks.
His form hasnt been the greatest and to be honest, I think he needs to buck up his scrummaging and general play.
Am excited to see how Ben Whittaker does. Didnt get to see much of him last week.

yeah noticed that to

[force addict]

glad to see brownie back in the ranks, also excited for Tatupu, Whits, junior, DHP and Stanford is all good after his collision last week. shame about Daruda though. poor bloke has hardly gotten any minutes this season.

[jazza93]

daruda missed out again, there are a few to many wingers for my liking. junior should get a go in one of the games, i dont think he is carring any injuries.