Western Force to unveil new-look side in Darwin trial match

[travelling_gerry]

Western Force to unveil new-look side in Darwin trial match

• by: Justin Chadwick
• From: AAP
• January 29, 20137:24PM

0




Western Force recruit Alby Mathewson will start in his first match for the club in Friday's trial match against the Brumbies in Darwin. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow




THE Western Force will unveil their new-look 9-10 combination in Friday night's Super Rugby trial match against the Brumbies in Darwin.



The Force overhauled their backline following last year's disastrous 3-13 win-loss campaign, but it's the new halves combination that holds the greatest intrigue.

Former All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson and South African playmaker Sias Ebersohn will be handed starting roles against the Brumbies, with the pair in the box seat to cement their places in the side for the season opener against the Melbourne Rebels on February 15.

New Force coach Michael Foley said the chemistry between Mathewson and Ebersohn has been impressive at training, but he wants to see how it holds up under the heat of battle.

Injured Wallabies scrum-half Brett Sheehan, who is set to miss at least the first four weeks of the season with an ankle injury, will battle Mathewson for the No.9 jersey once he recovers, while Ebersohn will have to fight off the likes of Kyle Godwin, Sam Norton-Knight and Sam Christie for the five-eighth role.


Foley said the trial games against the Brumbies and a select Tongan XV would go a long way towards helping him decide the best starting XV for the season opener.

"We've definitely got a 15 in mind that will run out against the Rebels, but there's opportunity for a number of players to stake claims over the next two weeks," Foley said.

"There are a number of positions that are very close and combinations will be important."

The match against the Brumbies will pit the Force up against their former skipper David Pocock, who left the Perth-based franchise at the end of last season.

"I guess everyone's mates off the field, but when you do battle on the field, everyone's enemies," new Force centre Jayden Hayward replied when asked about the presence of Pocock.

"I guess they won't treat him differently. They'll treat him like an enemy."

The match will be broken up into 20-minute quarters, with each team allowed rolling substitutions.

Force winger Nick Cummins, who was part of Australia's spring tour squad, will be rested from the trial, while hooker Ben Whittaker (foot), Norton-Knight and Sheehan are others who won't take part.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226564538114

[travelling_gerry]

Force unveil new-look squad for Brumbies trial



By RugbyWA Media Unit
















Matt Hodgson

Thirteen players will make their first appearance for a new-look Emirates Western Force when the side faces the Brumbies in their first pre-season fixture on Friday.

The Force has named a 31-man squad to tackle the ACT side in Darwin with the sides competing for the Territories Cup.

The Western Australian province will run out an overhauled backline that includes former All Black Alby Mathewson, ex-‘Baby Bok’ Sias Ebersohn, Waikato pivot Sam Christie, the Australian Sevens pair of Junior Rasolea and Ed Stubbs, former Hurricanes midfielder Jayden Hayward and Shute Shield stars Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Mick Snowden and Corey Brown.

Captain Matt Hodgson will lead out a familiar Force forward pack featuring six Wallaby representatives, including off-season recruit Hugh McMeniman. The forward pack also includes former Waratahs flanker Chris Alcock, NSW Country representative Rory Walton and ex-Melbourne Rebels rake Heath Tessmann.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says the Friday’s match is another key step in relaunching the side.

“This match is important as it gives us a clear starting point from which to begin building towards our season,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed with the way our guys have approached the pre-season and maintained their standards throughout. We’ve introduced and worked on a new brand of Force rugby, the guys have completely bought into that, and Friday provides a first opportunity to test ourselves against a Super Rugby opposition.

“The influx of players we’ve had for this season has been well documented and this match provides a chance for this new squad to come together and play alongside one another for the first time.

“It’s important that we use these trials to build towards our first match of the season against the Rebels, and continue to build and develop beyond that as the season progresses.

“This pre-season’s been extremely productive for us and after four months of training and these players are hungry for their opportunity.”

The Emirates Western Force will fly out for Darwin on Thursday.



2013 Super Rugby – Pre-Season Match
Brumbies v Emirates Western Force
Marrara Rugby Park, Darwin
Friday, 1 February 2013
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local)/6pm (AWST)

31-man squad: Chris Alcock*, Phoenix Battye, Corey Brown (Wider Training Group)*, Richard Brown, Nathan Charles, Sam Christie*, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn*, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Jayden Hayward*, Matt Hodgson (c), Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma’afu, Alfie Mafi, Alby Mathewson*, Locky McCaffrey, Ben McCalman, Hugh McMeniman*, Junior Rasolea*, Mick Snowden*, Winston Stanley, Ed Stubbs*, Heath Tessmann*, Chris Tuatara-Morrison*, Will Tupou, Rory Walton*, Sam Wykes.
*denotes first appearance for Emirates Western Force

[PeterM]

Good to see some new faces being blooded and will be great to get feed back from any members of the TWF forum who go to watch the match for views and comparisons to last season

I truly believe we have the brains trust to improve the team and the club greatly Michael Foley strikes me as a very well educated man who can convey a message to his players clearly and calmly not something that can be said of Coaches here at the Force before him.

Bottom line good luck lads play well stay safe and win

[GAFFA]

Bit strange not to see Manu not making the trip anyone know if he is injured same with Hilderbrand.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Buddha Handy]

Great to see the majority of guys available, other than the two Gaffa mentioned, Whittaker and Sheehan injured as we know and SNK not here yet I can't think of anyone else missing. Will be good to see Wykes back and all the backrow fit and firing.

[sittingbison]

"31 player squad" doesn't reveal much. its the entire team plus EPS without a couple of injuries

[Alison]

Check what Foley has to say in the second part of this clip:

[travelling_gerry]

Arrived in Darwin. Its a pleasant 32 degrees with a slight breeze and a tad humid.

[sittingbison]

mentions Tupou as coming along at full back, Stanly preferring 13, Rasolea has looked good.

Godwin get a wrap, makes good decisions under pressure. Trying him out at 12.

Wants the team to develop as a whole with a set of values they and the fans can respect.

Perhaps Mafi and Stubbs on the wings this weekend? HB not playing.

[blueandblack]

Arrived in Darwin. Its a pleasant 32 degrees with a slight breeze and a tad humid.

Sounds like you might need a drink or seven...

[Hansie]

Will the match be streamed on the 'net?

[Happy]

unfortunately no .. we had 12 months to come up with a live streaming option, but ran out of time

[travelling_gerry]

We will be doing play by play updates on a thread here.

[The InnFORCEr]

We will be doing play by play updates on a thread here.

What about the pub by pub updates, where will we find them?

[travelling_gerry]

All will be revealed. Five pm storm about to arrive, might head out after :-)