Force Lineup for Brumbies Clash

[RugbyWA]

GITEAU TO POST 50th CAP AS HENJAK AND POCOCK RETURN

Flyhalf Matt Giteau is set to earn his 50th Super rugby cap and scrumhalf Matt Henjak will return from injury when the Emirates Western Force play the Brumbies on Friday night at Canberra Stadium.

Henjak moves straight back into the starting XV after overcoming a knee injury which kept him off the New Zealand tour.

Also returning to the squad is openside flanker David Pocock, who missed last week’s game against the Chiefs due to a leg strain.

Pocock replaces Matt Hodgson at No. 7 while David Pusey moves from the bench to No. 6, switching with Richard Brown.

Prop Troy Takiari comes into the run-on team, with AJ Whalley shifting to the bench, while Scott Staniforth replaces Digby Ioane on the wing.

Scrumhalf Chris O’Young has passed a cogsport test, having left the field in the 7th minute of the Chiefs game with suspected concussion, and will be Henjak’s back-up.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell said the return of Henjak, Pusey and Staniforth to the starting team meant the Force would field its most experienced XV in recent rounds.

He said they’d been down to their third-string scrumhalf last week, and would benefit from Henjak’s back row-like style of play in a contest he expected to be of high tempo.

“There’s a lot of stake here, not just for the Force and the Brumbies but for Australian rugby,” he said.

“It’s important one of us gets a win out of this so that Australia is represented at the business end of the season,” he said.

Mitchell said the Brumbies boasted the best defensive record in the competition, and the focus this week had been on tailoring the Force game plan accordingly and identifying opportunities.

“The Brumbies good form of late and the return of Steve Larkham are no coincidence,” he said.

“We’ve obviously been exposed in defence recently and that’s something we have also worked hard on.”

“The boys are excited about the last Australian derby for the year. It should be a cracker of a contest.”

The squad:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava

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

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Luke Doherty
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O’Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Digby Ioane

[Burgs]

Quite happy with that line up, the only change I would have is #12 Staniforth, #13 Pelesasa, #14 Ioane, #22 Cross.
Cross is obviously a project player as under normal circumstances a Coach would be giving him some bench time to consider his previous weeks lapses.
Also obviously the season long bewilderment of Shepherd v Mitchell but it is probably time to accept that one.
Both Pusey and Pocock will make an enormous difference on last weeks performance.
Major match for McIsaac to step up now as the senior Frontrower in the Club, he now inherits the leadership of the FRU and the pride that goes with it.
The Brumbies have a very good Frontrow and it will be a mighty challenge for our boys, 8 Test Caps for McIsaac v 72 for Paul or a combined 8 v 83!

[The EnForcer]

I agree Burgs, my only problem with that line up is Cross. He really needs to step up this week and I would have thought time on the bench would have been a better message.

[pruc]

How I Would play them

1 - Gareth Hardy
2 - Tai McIsaac
3 - Troy Takiari
4 - Rudi Vedelago
5 - Nathan Sharpe (c)
6 - Pusey
7 - Pocock
8 - Fava

9 - Henjak
10 - Hilgendorf
11 - Ioane
12 - Giteau
13 - Staniforth
14 - Mitchell
15 - Sheps


16 - Holmes
17 - Aj
18 - Brown
19 - Hodgeson
20 - O'young
21 - Pelesasa
22 - Cross

[Burgs]

That would be my first pick too pruc, just didn't want all the Junior lovers running me out of town
Although I wouldn't have both Junior and Crossy on the bench, it would be one of them at #22 and Sare at #21 for some skills.

[pruc]

That would be my first pick too pruc, just didn't want all the Junior lovers running me out of town
Although I wouldn't have both Junior and Crossy on the bench, it would be one of them at #22 and Sare at #21 for some skills.

good point. in that case....Junior would be #22 and Cross will have to earn his way back into the side. He has yet to impress me. he runs to lateral in my mind and cuts off all his support players, then gets isolated and then loses us the ball. and he defence he is woeful. trying to be the saviour with intersept tries. has yet to pull one off and very nearly everytime this happens the others teams nearly score.

Sare at #21.... but if we lose this week.ide love to see stapleton to get a run off the bench. he needs to get some s14 expirence.

[GIGS20]

“It’s important one of us gets a win out of this so that Australia is represented at the business end of the season,” he said.

I really hope one of the teams can win then!

[WF2006]

I really hope one of the teams can win then!

Yeah, I saw that - so I guess the draw is completely out of the question!

[allsaints]

You have it spot on Pruc. I think Cross is finding the code switch difficult - still plays like a league back running cross field and not looking for support. I don't think it is possible for the Force to beat any of the teams above them on the ladder unless Spanner wears 12 (or maybe 13) and Shep 15. Plenty of choices for 11 & 14. Great to see Pocock & Pusey back. the backrow wasn't exactly on fire last week. Go the Force in the Capital!

[Shaun]

I think Cross had two bad games; but i think he will step up this weekend. Junior for me is great in attack but only looks for the big tackles in defense, not the needed tackles.

#9- Henjak
#10- Hilgendorf
#11- Shepherd
#12- Giteau
#13- Staniforth
#14- Cross (to contain Rathbone)
#15- Mitchell (Coach persists)

#20- O' Young
#21- Pelesasa
#22- Ioane

[allsaints]

Reckon Digby tackles as well as Cross

[jazza93]

looks great and the outside backs have a huge game ahead of them. they might find it easy after playing against the chiefs and crusaders outside backs. wonder why there is no hodgson he played a blinder last week. i think giteau should be 12 because he would run riot against the brumbies backs.

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak
10. Hilgendorf
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Ioane
15. Drew Mitchell

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Hodgson
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O’Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. Staniforth

[The InnFORCEr]

looks great and the outside backs have a huge game ahead of them. they might find it easy after playing against the chiefs and crusaders outside backs. wonder why there is no hodgson he played a blinder last week. i think giteau should be 12 because he would run riot against the brumbies backs.

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. David Pusey
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak
10. Hilgendorf
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Ioane
15. Drew Mitchell

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Hodgson
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O’Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Staniforth

Jimmy is gunna be pretty busy playing at 10 and at 21, hope he doesn't have to rplace himself?

[Burgs]

wish we had two of him...

[jazza93]

lol replace him with junior lol thanks