Force Ready For Rebels

[Darren]

Star flanker David Pocock will lead the Emirates Western Force into battle when they head to Melbourne for a Friday night meeting with the Rebels in Melbourne.

Pocock has been handed the captaincy for the club’s final match of 2011 with regular skipper Nathan Sharpe ruled out with an ankle injury. The youngster will join Scott Staniforth, Matt Giteau and Brendan Cannon as the only players aside from Sharpe to have captained the West Australian side in Super Rugby.

As expected, Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has brought the versatile Ben McCalman into the second row to partner Sam Wykes in Sharpe’s absence while Patrick Dellit moves to fullback after James O’Connor was suspended for a dangerous tackle against the Reds last weekend.

A leg injury to Nick Cummins at training this week will unfortunately see him sidelined but Alfie Mafi comes in to replace him on the wing. Mitch Inman gets his fourth start of the season at outside centre.

The Emirates Western Force will be able to call on significant firepower from the bench with Willie Ripia and Cameron Shepherd returning after injury layoffs. Tough loose forward Jono Jenkins has also been named.

Young prop Tetera Faulkner is a chance to make his debut after being called into the squad following an injury to Tim Fairbrother. Faulkner, who has been in outstanding form in the NSW Shute Shield competition, has signed to play for the Emirates Western Force next season but recently travelled with the club to New Zealand and has trained this week in Perth.

While neither the West Aussies or Victorians are able to make the Super Rugby finals there is still plenty of pride on the line in the final match of their respective campaigns.

“The Rebels have enjoyed good support at home in Melbourne this year and like us will want to finish the season well,” Graham said.

“I’m very confident in what the group we have selected can offer. It is importantly that we continue to focus as a team on working hard together.”

2011 Super Rugby – Week 18
Melbourne Rebels v Emirates Western Force
Friday, 17 June 2011 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 5.40pm (Perth Time)

1. Kieran Longbottom
2. Nathan Charles
3. Matt Dunning
4. Ben McCalman
5. Sam Wykes
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Richard Brown
9. Brett Sheehan
10. James Stannard
11. David Smith
12. Rory Sidey
13. Mitch Inman
14. Alfie Mafi
15. Patrick Dellit

Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Tetera Faulkner
18. Tom Hockings
19. Jono Jenkins
20. Mark Swanepoel
21. Willie Ripia
22. Cameron Shepherd

[JediKnight]

If only they can get to Melbourne...!!!
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[Darren]

and would they be willing to take some hitchhikers?

[slomo]

If only they can get to Melbourne...!!!
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jedi, you may have to dig the boots out!

[oxleymoron]

A few of us over here might have to
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[JediKnight]

Now wouldn't that be a sight!!!

[Elf1]

got them packed.

along with the first aid kit and ambulance insurance

[slomo]

got them packed.

along with the first aid kit and ambulance insurance

hopefully theres a hip flask in that first aid kit elf!!.....

[Elf1]

be buggered a full bottle is needed.

[BDAVEY]

bloody ash......gee i hope u guys get their after all your organising good luck with ya travels going to be a good game if their is a game???? DRAW.

[zimeric]

boys will have extra incentive to put one over the rabble now JOC's shown his colours

[Ecky]

I like the look of that bench

The run-on team is pretty good too

[shasta]

boys will have extra incentive to put one over the rabble now JOC's shown his colours

Who GaF about JOC. They better put on a good'un after some of the hoops lot's of us been through to keep this innForcers tour happening.

[SinBin]

...The run-on team is pretty good too

Jury's still out for me with Mafi. Great with ball in hand going forward, but can be a bit sus in defence.

[BeeJay]

Shame about Cummins, he was playing really well. Shep mustn't be fit to be named on the bench.

Carn Force!!!