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Force make three changes
20/03/2008 12:49:38 PM
Sportal
Western Force coach John Mitchell has introduced three new faces for his side's away clash with the Highlanders on Saturday in a bid to keep the team fresh.
Mitchell has made subtle changes for the Force's fifth match on the road in the opening six weeks of the season.
David Pocock has overcome a hamstring strain and returns to the openside flank after missing the Perth side's groundbreaking first victory on Kiwi soil over the Blues last weekend.
Twenty-one-year-old Kiwi-born prop Pek Cowan has been handed the No.1 jersey for the second time this season, while Chris O'Young makes a return to the starting XV at scrumhalf.
In a reshuffle of the back row, Tamaiti Horua has been recalled to the blindside flank while Scott Fava reverts to the bench.
"At this stage of the season, after five games on the road, we've got to monitor the condition of our players and we've brought in some fresh legs this week to energise the group," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said the Highlanders' winless start to the season would count for little come kickoff.
"The Highlanders are a team that will keep fighting until the last minute," Mitchell said.
"Their position on the ladder is a little misleading because they've been in a position to win every one of their matches so far this season."
"They've lost each match by seven points or less and will be absolutely desperate to pick up their first win."
From foxsports;
Saturday
Highlanders v Force at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown
LIVE on Fox Sports 3 (1230 EDT)
Highlanders:
1. Jamie Mackintosh
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Chris King
4. Hoani MacDonald
5. Tom Donnelly
6. Craig Newby (capt)
7. Tim Boys
8. Steven Setephano
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Daniel Bowden
11. Fetu'u Vainikolo
12. Aaron Bancroft
13. Niva Ta'auso
14. Paul Williams
15. James Wilson
Replacements:
16. David Hall
17. Keith Cameron
18. Hayden Triggs
19. Adam Thomson
20. Toby Morland
21. Mike Delany
22. Brett Mather
Force:
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. AJ Whalley
4. Tom Hockings
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Tamaiti Horua
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Chris O'Young
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Lachlan MacKay
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Cameron Shepherd
Replacements:
16. Luke Holmes
17. Troy Takiari
18. Sam Wykes
19. Scott Fava
20. James Stannard
21. Scott Daruda
22. Nick Cummins
Referee: Mark Lawrence