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The Emirates Western Force has arrived in Queenstown to continue preparations for Saturday night’s clash against the Highlanders in round nine of their 2010 Investec Bank Super 14 campaign.
The return of several experienced players has allowed Head Coach John Mitchell some choice in his 22 man squad, something of a rarity during an injury plagued season for the Force.
After being utilised from the pine in the Good Friday win against the Stormers, Wallabies No.8 Richard Brown returns to the starting line-up for the first time since injuring his shoulder in round one. Star winger Cameron Shepherd will start in his first game of the season while Sam Wykes and Dane Haylett-Petty have been included on the reserves bench, the trio the only changes to the squad that defeated the South Africans.
A breakthrough win in the last round has further strengthened the resolve amongst the Force players but they have not allowed it to cloud their focus on the task of backing-up their performance against the Highlanders.
“A win gives you confidence but it doesn’t allow you to get away from the detail or allow you to get complacent or accept just that one game is enough,” Mitchell said.
“It is important to maintain a very strong discipline on the process and the details that is required to get there.
“The great confidence that the players can take is that they nailed the game right at the end... it gives you enormous belief and it’s a great deposit finishing a game like that with a play like they did,” said Mitchell.
Saturday’s match will be the second time the Emirates Western Force has played against the Highlanders in Queenstown, the West Australian’s taking the points in their inaugural encounter in New Zealand’s action capital two years ago.
It was a solid 80 minute performance that delivered the Force a victory on Good Friday and nothing less will be required against a dogged Highlanders outfit that has again displayed their trademark ‘never say die’ attitude throughout this season.
“I thought they were really unlucky against the Chiefs and are a side that give themselves a chance because they fight right to the end,” Mitchell said of the Highlanders.
“It has always been a difficult proposition down in the South Island and you’ve got to have a mindset that is prepared for a very physical onslaught.
“They’ll never go away so you’ve really got to earn your wins down there,” said Mitchell.
2010 Investec Bank Super 14 – Round 9
Highlanders v Western Force
Queenstown Events Centre
Kick-off: 10.30am AWST (2.30pm local)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Emirates Western Force Squad
1.Pek Cowan
2.Ben Whittaker
3.Tim Fairbrother
4.Tom Hockings
5.Nathan Sharpe (c)
6.Matt Hodgson
7.David Pocock
8.Richard Brown
9.Chris O’Young
10.David Hill
11.Mark Bartholomeusz
12.Ryan Cross
13.Mitch Inman
14.Cameron Shepherd
15.James O’Connor
Reserves
16.Nathan Charles (FR)
17.Matt Dunning (FR)
18.Ben McCalman
19.Sam Wykes
20.Justin Turner
21.Sam Harris
22.Dane Haylett-Petty
More...