Force Touring Squad Announced

[Darren]

The Emirates Western Force have embarked on their three match tour to South Africa with a 26 man touring squad. The West Australian’s will play the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday night before tackling the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and then travel to Durban to play the Sharks in their final match of the 2010 season.

Coach John Mitchell said he is looking forward to the challenge of three matches in the Republic and continuing the form that saw the Force defeat the Crusaders at ME Bank Stadium last Friday night.

“It's important that we finish the season off on a high in terms of our performance and we are really looking to avoid any drop off,” Mitchell said.

“We've had three wins out of the last four games but the performance against the Blues (a loss in Auckland a fortnight ago) was too much of a drop off for our liking. We are focusing on how we can maintain our attitude and be really sharp in our preparation.”

Despite a first half to the season which was marred by injuries to key players Mitchell said the group maintained a positive outlook and were reaping the rewards of their continued hard work. Wins in the final three matches would see the club finish on a high and set a perfect platform for continued development next season.

“It might sound strange but it has actually been quite an enjoyable season to be part of,” Mitchell said.

“We've changed the player's mindset to focus on what we have rather than what we didn’t have, and a lot of people have grown in strength as a result of the adversities that we experienced through the lump sum of injuries at the start of the season.

“What we are focusing on is what's ahead of us and it's important that we do get momentum from the next three matches because most of this group will return next year. While there is a long time between seasons the group has grown and become accomplished and suited to our style of football both attacking wise and defensively.”

Emirates Western Force Touring Squad

Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (c), Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes

Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Nick Cummins, Ryan Cross, Sam Harris, David Hill, Mitch Inman, James O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Justin Turner,

[robyn <3]

Bit lacking in Stefano Hunt's, but otherwise not bad. Suprised Dunning got in there. Longbottom!!

[Timbo]

Bit lacking in Stefano Hunt's, but otherwise not bad. Suprised Dunning got in there. Longbottom!!

I believe they are taking Dunning over to drop off at a retirement game park for inactive pachyderms.

[Elf1]

[GIGS20]

I wonder if they've packed 5 grand in a suitcase just in case they get a ref they don't want?

[PerthGirl]

Interesting that they are taking 3 scrummies

[GIGS20]

I'd reckon Shetty might still have a niggle

[BDAVEY]

Stanford where's he surely he should be rewarded for his loyal efforts earlier in the season... he would prop just as well as Dunning!!! We had better be careful we may lose him if he is treated like this 5 props....... someone hurt?

[James]

Stanford's been good but there isn't really enough room with Wykes and Hockings.

[Burgs]

He was playing (well) for Randwick last weekend.

[James]

I thought he was great (against Randwick- for Eastern Suburbs) but he isn't as great as the 3 starting backrowers or McCalman.