Western Force light on for big double

[travelling_gerry]

Western Force light on for big double
BY:WAYNE SMITH From: The Australian May 30, 2013 12:00AM


WESTERN Force coach Michael Foley will have to recruit players from club competitions around the country, including Perth, to bolster his squad's strength for next week's back-to-back "Tests" against the British and Irish Lions and the Waratahs.

The Force has the bye this weekend but the has the honour next Wednesday of being the first Australian opposition the Lions will face on their nine-match tour. But just four days later the Force will have to back up to confront NSW - albeit a Tahs outfit likely to be missing 10 of its Wallabies.

If the Tahs upstage the Crusaders tomorrow night, they will head to Perth with their finals hopes still flickering but they can expect no quarter from a Force outfit that has been far more competitive this season than its three wins and a draw might suggest. "We're treating the two matches as Tests and it's going to require the full input of our entire playing squad, not just the 22 chosen for each game," said Foley.

But even with all hands manning the pumps, including Test blindside flanker contender Hugh McMeniman, who is back in selection contention in time to press for one of the six Wallabies berths being held open, Foley still will need to draw on outside help.

The Force has been hard hit in its outside backs with Nick Cummins not being released from the Wallabies, Alfi Mafi having had his contract cut for disciplinary reasons, and Will Tupou, Ed Stubbs and Winston Stanley all nursing injuries.

"We'll be bringing in some club players to help us get through next week," Foley said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226653266257

[jono]

Isn't this a situation when we should draw on our EPS? if they are fit?
Either that or we're looking for the eps for next year when we get the blokes out of clubland

Or, CTM will finally get a run
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[Alison]

It's amazing how Nick has gone from being 'last cab off the rank' to a protected Wallaby in the space of 12 months!

Indicates to me the short-sightedness of Wallaby selection policy that he only got a look in "when every other bugger fell over"!

Go Nick

[UNCLE BOOG]

so Madness is back?! thatll be a boost.

when it says badger isnt being released, theyre talking about the Tahs game, yes? He'll be here against the Lions, right?

[Ecky]

Having the BIL game so soon before the 'tahs game always made me wonder about what side they'd put out against BIL, given the Super match is more important.

Now, given that the likelihood of a finals appearance this season is remote, maybe they should put their best side on the park on Wednesday and give the Lions a real contest?

[GAFFA]

Having the BIL game so soon before the 'tahs game always made me wonder about what side they'd put out against BIL, given the Super match is more important.

Now, given that the likelihood of a finals appearance this season is remote, maybe they should put their best side on the park on Wednesday and give the Lions a real contest?

thats how i would be looking at it and give the fring players the chance to show what they have against other super rugby standard players.

Remember the tahs will be without 10 first choice players who will be in camp with the wallabies.

[jono]

It's amazing how Nick has gone from being 'last cab off the rank' to a protected Wallaby in the space of 12 months!

Indicates to me the short-sightedness of Wallaby selection policy that he only got a look in "when every other bugger fell over"!

Go Nick

Hopefully his ankle can hold out hey? :/
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[GAFFA]

Looks like Hugh Roach is in town if you go off twitter. Must be having a run with us in the next few games. Great young hooker would be great to get him in the EPS.

[jargan83]

I hope the selection of HB in the Wallaby squad doesnt go to his head or something

[Albert]

I hope the selection of HB in the Wallaby squad doesnt go to his head or something

My bets on a third string side to get slaughtered by the lions with the bigdogs spared to play an under strength Tahs in a desperate attempt to finish higher than last year. Can't imagine the love that will generate from fans paying to watch the lions game.
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[DinkyDi]

Looks like Hugh Roach is in town if you go off twitter. Must be having a run with us in the next few games. Great young hooker would be great to get him in the EPS.

HR in town - Oh well... not fussed with with him - too small and I fear over hyped. Will make a good Shute Shield player but when you are 5'7" - the step up to Super Rugby will be huge. Wish him well but I think that an EPS would be wasted IMHO

[DinkyDi]

I have a feeling that the B&I Lions game is going to be turned into a mockery by the scheduling of the Tahs game on Saturday - people have paid bleeding good money for tickets only to have a half baked pre season team run on representing the Force. Call it WA if so as they have in the past.

[The InnFORCEr]

I have a feeling that the B&I Lions game is going to be turned into a mockery by the scheduling of the Tahs game on Saturday - people have paid bleeding good money for tickets only to have a half baked pre season team run on representing the Force. Call it WA if so as they have in the past.

Better than no Lions match at all, seriously, these are really just "scratch matches" and should be treated as such IMHO

[Jules]

Nice to see the Force run out and a real make a match of it though.. Does anyone think they will??

[GIGS20]

Unlikely, there is no real benefit to doing so.

It isn't like the lions will play their best lineup either.