Scott Staniforth Returns for Yamaha Clash

Wallaby winger Scott Staniforth will make his debut for Western Force Gold in the team’s clash against Japanese club Yamaha Jubilo on Saturday.

Staniforth has been released from the Wallabies squad and will start the game on the wing, with fellow Super 14 players Junior Pelesasa and Haig Sare in the centres.

The 28 year old was Super 14’s equal-second top tryscorer, with nine five pointers – most of them scored whilst playing at inside centre.

The clash against Yamaha – a side which includes former Brumbies backrow Ipolito Fenukitau, one-time Scottish international Brendan Laney and former Queensland Red Nathan Williams – will also see the return of Scott Daruda and Dave Pocock.

Daruda has not played since suffering a nerve injury in the Super 14 game against the Crusaders in April, while Pocock has been sidelined since injuring a knee on the Western Force Gold development tour of South Africa in June.

Western Force Academy and University hooker Bill Johnston, Perth Bayswater lock Jonathan Stanley and Wests Subiaco back row Greg Plimmer will also make their Western Force Gold debut, joining Wests Subiaco flanker Kiti Fuluna from the local club ranks.

Western Force Gold coach John Mulvihill said the game would be a fast and physical encounter, with Yamaha boasting some quality footballers.

“Fenukitau, Laney and Williams are all very capable, so we will need to be on our game,” he said.

Mulvihill said Saturday’s match at Rosalie Park, and the second and final game against Yamaha at Rugby Park the following Saturday, would give his team a good hit-out leading into the Australian Provincial Competition in September.

This Saturday’s match is at Rosalie Park, Shenton Park. Kick off at 3.30pm.

Unavailable due to injury: Brendan Cannon (neck), Josh Fuimaono (hamstring), Lachlan MacKay (groin), Pat O’Connor (appendix), Chris O’Young (shoulder), Zander Peden (ankle), David Pusey (ankle), Rudi Vedelago (ankle), AJ Whalley (foot), Matt Windle (elbow).

The squad is: 1. Gareth Hardy 2. Luke Holmes 3. Angus Scott 4. Jonathan Stanley 5. Luke Doherty (c) 6. Kiti Fuluna 7. Matt Hodgson 8. Greg Plimmer 9. Matt Henjak 10. James Hilgendorf 11. Brett Stapleton 12. Junior Pelesasa 13. Haig Sare 14. Scott Staniforth 15. Scott Daruda 16. Bill Johnston 17. Pek Cowan 18. Ryan Tyrell 19. David Pocock 20. Vitori Buatava 21. Josh Graham 22. Tajhon Mailata

Not sure if I'm happy to see him back or pissed to see him not get a Wallabies run!?
Least you fellas will get to see the great Stanners up close and personal this weekend!
Interesting also that Josh Graham is still playing. Must be running out contractual obligations due to the injury load and no league commitments yet?
Best wishes to Johnston, Stanley, Plimmer and the returning Fuluna and Tyrell stepping up to this higher level.

Is that injury list accurate or is it more likely they are being cautious? Seems to be quite a long list which includes quality players.

I would say it to be accurate niggle, their would be a few having had surgery during the "off season" or giving injuries more time than they would during the urgency of the season proper.
I think the next match will tell us more as they will want to run close to the first pick APC Squad there.

three questions
Why are they playing Staniforth, who was probably the best centre is super 14 on the wing? and why is Josh Graham still playing? although i do hope he returns to rugby and the force :) and how serious is O'Youngs shoulder?

As no one else has ventured here:
Scott Staniforth- I think this would be more about Pelesasa and Sare getting exposure in unfamiliar positions than about Staniforth himself. If it doesn't work you could soon switch him for either without problems.
Josh Graham- As the Gold Coast Titans aren't playing this season and Graham is finishing early on a contract, there is probably agreement between the parties to keep him fit and to help out if the Force are short. Notice he is on the bench where he would normally have been picked at #13 before Sare in S14.
Chris O'Young- No idea, serious enough for him nt to play in a scratch match a few weeks before the first APC I guess? Again, Buatava is probably in need of a decent run too.

Where do you think is Staniforths best chance of breaking into the Wallabies? in the centres or on a wing? i seem to remember conolly saying he was thought of as a wing not a centre