Darwin trial match 4 FEB 2012??

[mudskipper]

I wouldn't be risking Chucky either..

Risk? its his job, isn't it... Pocock will be fine, Brumbies are gentlemen they wont touch him...

[travelling_gerry]

I tip that Sharpie, Bam and Brown will be rested.

Trust the bookie

[Hansie]

Great to see Hodgson from Cott get an opportunity as well as JP and Cam from Neddies, this is what Community Rugby has been asking for.

[Happy]

Friday Showers, afternoon storm. Min 25 Max 33
Saturday Afternoon shower or storm. Min 25 Max 33
Sunday Afternoon shower or storm. Min 25 Max 33

[Burgs]

Sure you aren't going to Broome Happy?

[Happy]

might do if we get diverted lol .. oh well, a pub's a pub!

[Burgs]

Seems a tropical town is a tropical town too, that's the Broome forecast for the Wet apart from cyclone days.

[Happy]

probably the same forecast for most of the Kimberly

[GAFFA]

they have just named the squad.

Force squad set for Darwin trial

Emirates Western Force coach Richard Graham has selected a 27 man squad to compete in Darwin for the club’s opening trial match of 2012. The side features a number of the club’s key recruits including Salesi Ma’afu, who will play against his former side, while Fijian international Napolioni Nalaga will suit up for his first match in ocean blue.

The Emirates Western Force will take 14 forwards and 13 backs to Darwin and with no limits to the number of substitutes in the match Graham said it was important that there were enough bodies to spread the load across the group, especially with stifling weather conditions expected.

Amongst the 27 man squad are five local West Australian club players who’ll bolster numbers after a host of contracted squad members are eased back into competition or given additional time to complete recovery programmes ahead of the season proper.

“It’s all about managing the squad and ensuring that come February 24 when we take on the Brumbies in Canberra to open the season we’ve got a fit and healthy group to choose from,” Graham said.

“Getting game time into the squad is important and as such we’ve prepared well and will be using the match in Darwin to put some structures together.

“We haven’t taken any unnecessary risks with players who are finalising their recovery programmes or who might have a niggle that needs a little more time to get right.

“For guys like David Pocock and Nathan Sharpe, they played a lot of rugby at the back end of last year and I felt the best thing was to get additional conditioning into them without the physicality of a game,” Graham said.

Despite the absence of Pocock, Sharpe and Richard Brown, the Emirates Western Force forward pack still takes on a menacing look. Ma’afu, Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson and Ben McCalman are all Wallaby capped players while 2011 standouts Kieran Longbottom and Sam Wykes are also in the mix.

Wykes has been appointed captain, and after leading the team during a post-season tour against the Samoan World Cup squad last year is keen to further his leadership credentials as well as consolidate his performances after a breakout year in 2011.

“We have a great bunch of guys who have gelled really well. Over the past three months of pre-season training everyone has worked hard and is now looking forward to putting that into practice on the field,” Wykes said.

“Every time you put on the jersey you want to win but at the same time the result isn’t the most crucial aspect of the trial period. We’re all really keen to play and dust off the cobwebs, get some match fitness and build towards the season.”

Nalaga will be one to watch in the backs having shown his try scoring prowess in several stunning seasons with French side Clermont. Of the other new recruits to the Emirates Western Force, Winston Stanley will play as will young flyhalf Ben Seymour and winger Samu Wara.

Exciting young West Australian scrumhalf Justin Turner will make his return to competitive rugby on the weekend after coming back from consecutive knee operations that have kept him out since late 2010.

Two of the five WA club players being given their opportunity, Palmyra lock Jake Ball and Cottesloe flanker Ryan Hodson, have been training in the Emirates Western Force professional programme since pre-season started last November on the invitation of Graham. The others include Level 1 Academy member JP Pretorius, who won the most improved player award for his efforts with Nedlands in the 2011 Premier Grade season, as well as Neddies winger Cam Crowley and Wests Subiaco fullback Chance Bunce.

With a forecast in Darwin on Saturday of 33 degrees, storms and high humidity, kick-off has been pushed back to 8.00pm to beat the heat of the day and the match will be played in four 20 minute quarters to allow players to rehydrate on a more regular basis.

“Trial games are about challenging your players and getting them back into competitive game conditions however their welfare is our top priority and all the necessary precautions have been taken,” Graham said.

“We’ve had a good build-up during pre-season and have put in a lot of work. This is the next step in our preparations and it will be positive for the players to feel that body on body contact in an unstructured environment,” Graham said.

The Emirates Western Force will be without the services this season of young back Jordan Rapana who has undergone shoulder surgery after suffering an injury at training last week.

Emirates Western Force squad;

Forwards: Jake Ball*, Phoenix Battye, Nathan Charles, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Tetera Faulkner, Matthew Hodgson, Ryan Hodson*, Kieran Longbottom, Toby Lynn, Salesi Ma'afu, Ben McCalman, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes

Backs: Chance Bunce*, Cam Crowley*, Nick Cummins, Alfie Mafi, Napolioni Nalaga, JP Pretorious*, Ben Seymour, Brett Sheehan, Rory Sidey, Winston Stanley, James Stannard, Justin Turner, Samu Wara

*Trial players
http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...3/Default.aspx

[AndyS]

Still no Godwin then......

[JediKnight]

Congrats to Sam Wykes for being named captain.

[AndyS]

Just a quick reminder for those going - if you are interested in it, don't forget to make arrangements for the Calcutta Cup match Sunday.

[Tazzmania]

Whres the other leagie Tupou?

[GAFFA]

I want to see how Stanley goes i think he can be really good for the force!

[Happy]

DYING Cyclone Iggy could unleash destructive 100km/h winds and torrential rain on the southern half of WA as it weakens and crosses the coast.

good thing we're flying north