Force's Stannard to miss six weeks
AAP
Updated April 5, 2012, 11:13 am
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Western Force five-eighth James Stannard has been ruled out for six weeks by an ankle injury sustained in last Saturday's Super Rugby win over Queensland Reds.
Stannard was undergoing surgery to insert a pin into his ankle on Thursday, with 21-year-old Ben Seymour named as his playmaker replacement for Friday night's home clash with the Chiefs.
Seymour's promotion is the only change to the Force's starting line-up, with former Brumbies and Waratahs scrumhalf Josh Holmes named on the bench after signing with the Force for the rest of the season.
Utility back Patrick Dellit will join Holmes on the pine after recovering from a leg injury, but Cameron Shepherd (leg) and Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga (ankle) will miss yet again.
Force coach Richard Graham said his charges would face a stern test against the Chiefs, who have won four of their five games this season.
"Their forward pack has developed a good work ethic under coach Dave Rennie while they also possess some individual brilliance in their backs with the likes of Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Robbie Robinson," Graham said.
"They provide a good balance of forward strength coupled with the recognisable Kiwi trait of being dangerous in unstructured play."
Western Force: David Harvey, Samu Wara, Nick Cummins, Winston Stanley, Alfie Mafi, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock (capt), Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Res: Elvis Taione, Kieran Longbottom, Phoenix Battye, Ben McCalman, Josh Homes, Rory Sidey, Patrick Dellit
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...iss-six-weeks/
