Force -v- Highlanders Squad Announced

[Darren]

and 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

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

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


Wednesday 31 January 2007
RugbyWA

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has named the 22 players who will do battle against the Highlanders in the team’s opening game of the 2007 Investec Super 14 season on Friday night at Subiaco Oval.

The squad contains just one Super rugby debutante, Ryan Cross, and sees Matt Giteau starting at inside centre and Drew Mitchell at fullback.

Fellow new recruit Troy Takiari will begin the game at tight head prop, while Rudi Vedelago will play his first match since breaking his leg against the Highlanders in Dunedin in April.

Emirates Western Force 2006 Player of the Year Scott Staniforth will play on the right wing, with Cameron Shepherd on the left.

Mitchell said there was a great sense of anticipation amongst the group, particularly considering the energy and effort that had been invested in the pre-season.

“Turning that anxiety into a positive and ensuring it doesn’t compromise performance but in fact enhances it will be a key to success on Friday night,” he said.

Mitchell said starting the season against the Highlanders would be a huge challenge but he believed the team was ready.

“The fact that they got up on us last year highlights the size of the task but history is not something to be intimidated by, in fact, quite the opposite,” he said.

“It’s a chance for us to put down a marker for the campaign ahead as to who we are and what we are about.”

Mitchell said the Emirates Western Force was also looking forward to playing in front of the vocal and parochial ‘Sea of Blue’ at Subiaco Oval.

“Our fans were inspiring last year, and all the boys love playing in front of them,” he said.

“We will have a final run at Subi tomorrow (Thursday) before adding another chapter to our history on Friday night.”

“Let the competition begin!”

[travelling_gerry]

bugger....I got Hardy and Scott around the wrong way for the team I submitted for RWA Comp

[Greydemon]

Not a bad looking side, though you have to feel sorry for Digby. He is probably still trying to learn the words of the silly song.

[peterss]

Where the hell is Digby Farkin!!!

[The InnFORCEr]

I guess this is what is going to happen each week as players compete for starting spots, no one is a walk up start this year and selctions will be made depending on the opposition, rather than last year where we had to just accept who was fit and available....this year we have choice (hey bro) I mean hey John!

Someone will have to miss out....and it's Digby's week this week.

[Mambo No. 5]

Digby admitted in the news last week that he is still having trouble catching the ball....

Sir John has chosen the safer hands of Sare

[Jasper]

I would have preferred to see Shep at 15 and mitch at 11 - mitch looks a bit loose - they will probably interchange during the game. Stanners ahaed of digby - probably safer - but it will be good to see digby let loose at some stage with the quality backline we have inside him.

Certainly don't remember this much speculation about team sellection last year - its great.

[Sagerian]

No great surprises there, including Digby's exclusion. I think he'll be one of the first to either return to QLD or head to another team where he can get a start.

[WF2006]

Looks good, though I'd still put Gits at 10, Stanners at 12 and have Digby on the wing. Hence pushing Jimmy to the bench and Sare off it.

But who the hell am I! Not Johnny Mitchell - Go Force!!

[Tazzmania]

Great side, good to see Sare rewarded for some stirling efforts last season. He really stood up for us last year when we needed him.

The only concern is Mitchell at full back but I assume that on defense he may be backed up by Stanners and Shep but on attack he may be lethal with his speed coming through on gaps made by Gits and Cross. I for one look forward to Friday night with much hope of a good first home win.

[pruc]

sucks to b an openside flanker. poor hodgeson.

[AndyS]

I'd personally have switched Mitchell & Shepherd and Staniforth & Cross, but any way you cut it that is one hell of a big, go forward backline. Might make it's presence felt in the clean-out too.

Nice to see Pocock there too - could be a handful for the Highlanders coming on fresh with 30 to go.

[Shaun]

Great side! Feeling a bit sorry for Digby and Matt... hopefully they get their chances. Would hate to see either of them leave...

[no.8]

The team to play the Western Force on Friday night is as follows:

1. Chris King
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Clarke Dermody
4. Kane Thompson
5. James Ryan
6. Hoani MacDonald
7. Josh Blackie ©
8. Craig Newby
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Callum Bruce
11. Viliame Waqaseduadua
12. Jason Kawau
13. Matthew Saunders
14. Lucky Mulipola
15. Craig Clare

Reserves
16. David Hall
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Ezra Taylor
19. Alando Soakai
20. Toby Morland
21. Charlie Hore
22. Greg Zampach

[GIGS20]

I've gotta say this looks likea great opportunity for the first home win I think Drew was a little conservative on the counter playing Samoa I hope he was under instruction. I think the beauty of this team is it's versatility. The field (and indeed the bench) has been liberally sprinkled with players whoare world classintwo or even three positions. I can see where Mitch is going with Cross. If he doesn't stack up spanner goes to 13 and sare hits the wing, Gits pretty much anywhere close to the ball and Little Mitch and Shep can oss a coin over the fullback/wing slot.