Pusey Returns for Waratahs SMACKDOWN!

[RugbyWA]

Versatile forward David Pusey returns to the starting line-up for the Emirates Western Force’s clash against the Waratahs at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on Friday night.

Bouncing back from injury, David Pusey will start at blindside flanker, with Luke Doherty returning to the bench, while openside flanker Richard Brown moves back into the starting 15 and Matt Hodgson drops out of the 22.

Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell said the game against the Waratahs would be no less demanding than the clash against the Lions.

He described the Waratahs as the Australian benchmark in the Investec Super 14 competition and expected them to be enthused by the prospect of playing at home for the first time this season.

“Adam Freier is a good choice for captain and their number 10 Kurtley Beale reminds me of the great Mark Ella or a young Carlos Spencer,” he said.

“We’ve also been impressed by what we’ve seen of Ben Jacobs in the centres, and Wycliff Palu’s influence on their game has not gone unnoticed.”

“Peter Hewat should thrive playing at home.”

Mitchell said it was critical the Emirates Western Force learn from the shortcomings exposed by the Lions and ensure they are not repeated.

He said individualistic opportunity ahead of team play had to be avoided if the Force was to challenge the Waratahs at the home of rugby in Australia.

“We still have a way to got mentally before we become consistent in this competition. We have to absorb the lessons of last week and move on,” he said.

The squad is:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava (vc)

9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth (vc)
15. Drew Mitchell

16. Tai McIsaac
17. Angus Scott
18. Luke Doherty
19.David Pocock
20. Chris O’Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Haig Sare

[Darren]

Sheps back at 15! Now can we just sneak Stanners into 12?

[qld supporter]

Hilgendorf must feel very unlucky, I'd prefer to see Gits at 12 ,but other than that it looks a very balanced outfit.They've gone to a more defensive centre partnership ,I hope it doesn't impact on try scoring ability because a 5point win is what we need.

[Burgs]

Incredibly tough on Hodgson, apparently Pocock doesn't feature in the "rotation"?
As expected for Fava, apparently they do play Favarites.
Put up or shut up time for Junior, he better have a blinder!
#21 & #22 would be starting in any other Australian team this Round.
We certainly are the most settled Australian team so far.

[Darren]

Correction - Sheps is at 11 and Mitchell at 15

[jazza93]

nice line up i was watching rugby focus and giteau is enjoying fly half so i hope he can keep doing well and maybe move back to 12 because he is the best in the world at 12.

yay fava gets a start im sure he will do a good job now that all of that stuff is behind him i think he would be able to focus and train hard. I alo hope they give pocock a bit more of a game this week he is great.

GO THE FORCE!

[travelling_gerry]

Bad luck Matt Hogdson....he was probably the most dissapointed played at the ned of the game last week...and I like that....hate to see players just "accept" a loss.....he looked to be filthy with himself that he could not have done more...

[GIGS20]

Not sure about this. I guess when 'the system' has been proven I'll be among the crowd standing and cheering Mitch's courage showing faith in a side that has developed together, but I'm still worried about Junior and Drew being where they are. I hope I'm wrong!

[prop53]

looks a good line up, but the same thought as a lot of others for Junior to stand up and be counted.
GO THE FORCE

[pruc]

y hogdson? he played awesome last week i thought. tough break.

[joblot]

In my opinion, Gits is one of the best, if not the best 12 in the World. Sheps is a great player, who is doing us proud, but I think would better serve the team effort at full back. Drew Mitchell is a flyer and should get his game time on the wing, possibly off the bench. Stanners is a much better and more effective player as a centre. Hilgendorf is a great line breaker who did it well for us last year at 10. Give him a chance, if only off the bench, which he sat on for the whole of last week's unfortunate loss.
What is going to happen when Lachlan MacKay gets fit?
I would hate to see Digby being lost for lack of starting opportunity. I am glad I am not the Coach. Happy to be a totally committed supporter.

[inactive]

we have way too many backs i reckon alot will leave next year haig digby etc ppl that keep getting left out or payed out of position

[Sagerian]

we have way too many backs i reckon alot will leave next year haig digby etc ppl that keep getting left out or payed out of position

Exactly, it's very likely. Especially Digby maybe returning to QLD.

[Burgs]

McKenzie makes changes

March 01, 2007 - 11:39am
Story by: Sportal

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has made a number of changes to his team ahead of Friday night's crucial Investec Super 14 clash with the Western Force at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Former Wallabies centre Morgan Turinui returns to the starting side on the wing, Peter Hewat moves to fullback and Daniel Halangahu, who stared the season at flyhalf, comes into the run-on side at inside centre.

Josh Valentine has been named at scrumhalf with teenage sensation Kurtley Beale again starting in the No.10 jersey.

Rookie flanker Beau Robinson will make his Super 14 starting debut in place of injured skipper Phil Waugh at openside flanker, while veteran loose forward David Lyons earns his place in the squad for the first time this campaign after overcoming a raft of off-season injuries.

"We've made a few changes to suit the opposition but as always we rely on 22 players to get us through the full 80 minutes," said McKenzie.

"We opted for a specialist openside rather than move a more experienced player out of his preferred position. Beau's got a lot of raw ability but there's nothing like game time to get a player up to speed and I have every confidence in him."

Adam Freier will make his Super rugby debut as captain in Waugh's absence.

The match is pivotal for both sides as whoever loses will have gone down for the third time already and their season will be looking grim after five weeks.

Waratahs squad v Western Force:

1. Benn Robinson,
2. Adam Freier (captain),
3. Alastair Baxter,
4. Dean Mumm,
5. Will Caldwell,
6. Rocky Elsom,
7. Beau Robinson,
8. Wycliff Palu,

9. Josh Valentine,
10. Kurtley Beale,
11. Lote Tuqiri,
12. Daniel Halangahu,
13. Ben Jacobs,
14. Morgan Turinui,
15. Peter Hewat

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau,
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse,
18. Ben Hand,
19. David Lyons,
20. Brett Sheehan,
21. Sam Norton-Knight,
22. Sam Harris.

[Darren]

Sharpe is out of tonights game with a shoulder injury!