O'Connor out for Force, no farewell for O'Young

[WF1964]

James O'Connor will miss the Western Force's final home game of the Super 14 season against the Crusaders on Friday.

The Wallaby back has a slight shoulder injury and could also be out of the match against the Lions in Johannesburg a week on Saturday.
"It's about a week but we might manage it for two weeks to give him the right opportunity of repairing it," Force coach John Mitchell said.

"He's got a long (international) season ahead so it's important we manage it early.

"It's a ligament or something. It’s been scanned and it's pretty inflamed and needs some rehab.

"Another hit on it (before it heals properly) and it could be serious."

Mark Bartholomeusz will switch from the wing to fullback to cover for O'Connor.

Nick Cummins returns to the starting line-up on the wing and halfback Brett Sheehan, who missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, also returns to the run-on side.

Mitchell has made six changes in all from the team thumped by the Blues last week and has shown there is no room for sentiment by not allowing Chris O'Young a farewell home game before he retires from Super Rugby at the end of the season.

O'Young has not be given a spot in the run-on side or on the bench.
Team:

1 Pek Cowan,
2 Ben Whittaker,
3 Tim Fairbrother,
4 Ben McCalman,
5 Nathan Sharpe,
6 Matt Hodgson,
7 David Pocock,
8 Richard Brown,

9 Brett Sheehan,
10 David Hill,
11 Cameron Shepherd,
12 Ryan Cross,
13 Mitch Inman,
14 Nick Cummins,
15 Mark Bartholomeusz.

16. Nathan Charles,
17. Matt Dunning,
18. Tom Hockings,
19. Sam Wykes,
20. Justin Turner,
21. Sam Harris,
22. Dane Haylett-Petty.


Article from www.thewest.com.au

[GIGS20]

Wow, I think I may have blown my vDough!

Oh well, we've done well in the games we were expected to lose this season.

I note Shep has been kept on the wing, I wonder why. Bart seems to be a better proposition at wing than fullback.

[The InnFORCEr]

I note Shep has been kept on the wing, I wonder why. Bart seems to be a better proposition at wing than fullback.

I would say they don't want him kicking at full tilt or getting to arial either.

[James]

Apart from Sheehan (obviously) and Bart everyone in that backline is over 100kgs I think.

[Burgs]

And Sheehan started the season at 90kg

[BDAVEY]

Ben McCalman gone for aggression and toughness aye..... they need that against these guys

Bartho at 15 oh no.......... here come the bombs

I hope Sheps has been practising his kicking.....!!!!

[palitu]

bartho was ok at 15 last he played there i thoguht...

[BDAVEY]

wheres Spanner.......... we may not see him again ............