POCOCK TO LEAD EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE ON DEVELOPMENT TOUR OF ENGLAND

[pruc]

then whats the point of the trial match tomorrow night?

[laura]

One last hoorah in Perth for the year? I think its great no matter what the reason.


Well done to Dave, its an honour that he thoroughly deserves. This experience will set him up for his future.

[PerthGirl]

then whats the point of the trial match tomorrow night?

Is it open to the public?

[pruc]

tompkins park.
7pm

[lara93]

hmmmm...
well done bam bam!

[Thequeerone]

Well done Pocock - got my first ever cutout pass with a link to the Press Conference - sounds like the Tour is designed to test the Players on many levels - here's the link to the press conference - many thanks to memberships for the cutout pass

also saw a bit of the conference on ABC news tonight - know you peps who still keep trying with 7 won't have seen this.

http://www.rugbywa.com.au/verve/_res...nouncement.wmv

[The Man]

Any mail on the TV coverage?

[Thequeerone]

Any mail on the TV coverage?

Have missed this - what are you asking ?

[Ecky]

If, as I've been told by unnamed sauces, Stannard has Ross River Virus then he's probably not good value to take on tour

[James]

Mackay is in France. His contract was not renewed/his services were no longer needed.

I have a feeling that decision will come back to bite RugbyWA in the bum soon though.

Could do yeah but then again he's a fly-half/inside centre and Giteau, O'Connor and Daruda can cover both positions as well as Staniforth and Pelesasa covering inside centre.

Its a bit of a shame that his Super 14 career didn't go anywhere after coming to the Force. He was quite promising with the Waratahs. Perhaps if he stayed at the Waratahs and Al Kanaar came over to the Force they would've had big injuries and they would still be playing now. Ahh well.

[Dramoth]

I live a couple of hours away from Newcastle, so I am going to find out what the cost of a ticket is and head over there wearing my western force jersey with my camera in hand to try and get some good shots of the game and some pics with the guys

Hopefully some of the other EWF supporters here in England and Scotland will come along.

[Thequeerone]

RugbWa has promised to have updates of progress on their website as well - but the more infor the better - especially pictures - think it is kinda hot over there at the moment

[Homer]

Stuck here in the east I am out of the loop but are there only two hookers going on tour and who are the other hookers left in the EWF or Academy squad. If Luke or Tai go down are the EWF in for some trouble filling the front row?

Shame about Mackay but Stannnard looked the goods while Valentine is massively overrated. He can play 5/8 as well though. Mackay has been cut from the Player Profiles though while Stannard is still in.

Hope Pat Oconner gets a few good runs in, could add some great depth to the 2nd row and let wykes back onto the side of the scrum where he should be.

[James]

Stuck here in the east I am out of the loop but are there only two hookers going on tour and who are the other hookers left in the EWF or Academy squad. If Luke or Tai go down are the EWF in for some trouble filling the front row?

Tai has a remarkable ability to never seem to get injured *knock on wood*. But if worst came to worst I remember before the Super 14 when we only had those two guys they said that Hardy and Cowan were practising their throwing in case they were needed as a back-up hooker. Perhaps the same would apply. Don't know whats happened with Ben Whittaker though- perhaps injured?

Shame about Mackay but Stannnard looked the goods while Valentine is massively overrated. He can play 5/8 as well though. Mackay has been cut from the Player Profiles though while Stannard is still in.

We don't know how Valentine will do for the Force. Give the poor guy a chance at least. He can play 5/8 too and did so in a pre-season Waratahs game.

Hope Pat Oconner gets a few good runs in, could add some great depth to the 2nd row and let wykes back onto the side of the scrum where he should be.

I hope he does too. He was great in 2006. Having him and Hockings fit and fighting to partner Sharpe can only be a good thing for next year. And wykes does need a few more kgs if he wants to play in the second row. Him, Brownie and Pocock make a great long term back row unit.

[shasta]

From an article in todays West re the tour

Leicester include Owen Finegan and England players Tom Varndell, Martin Corry

I thought Melon had retired and was doing some coaching at ACT.