0
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!”