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Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has named a 28-man squad for Friday night’s pre-season clash with seven-time Super Rugby champions the Crusaders at Members Equity Stadium.
A bumper crowd is expected to greet both teams at Perth’s premier rectangular venue in the only pre-season fixture to be played in WA before the Super 14 season opener at Subiaco Oval on February 13.
Wallabies Richard Brown, Drew Mitchell and Cameron Shepherd will take the field for the side’s opening hit out of 2009, while new recruits Josh Valentine and Richard Stanford will pull on the Emirates Western Force jersey for the first time.
The match will be played in three 30-minute thirds in order to give both coaches the opportunity to provide extended match practice for their squads.
Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell said his side would be rotated through the match.
“Were going to look at some different combinations and we want to give players an opportunity in the role they are likely to contribute during the season,” said Mitchell.
“Both sides have taken up the option of naming 28 players for the match so that everyone gets sufficient game time,” he said.
Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe and Ryan Cross will be rested for the match, while Pat O’Connor was ruled out of the lineup after straining a hamstring at a training session on Monday.
Wallabies rookie sensation James O’Connor will also miss the match whilst he recovers from the effects of a virus.
Mitchell said that a number of players will be trialed in new positions during the match.
“With (James) O’Connor out, Scotty Daruda will have to shoulder a lot of the work at flyhalf, but we’ve also been preparing Pek Cowan for tighthead (prop) to give us some more depth in that area and Richard Stanford will get plenty of time at lock,” he said.
Mitchell said he would continue to trial winger Nick Cummins at outside centre.
“Cummo’s performance in our internal trial last Friday has been well documented and he’ll get another opportunity to come on at outside centre and Josh Tatupu start at inside centre.”
One player looking forward to the contest perhaps more than any of his teammates is fullback Cameron Shepherd, who will play his first match since suffering a horrific leg injury in a Wallabies Test in June last year.
“Cameron has been phenomenal. Before Christmas he’s was below 80% so Haydn Masters and the medical team have done a terrific job bringing him up to speed and he looks as if he’s jumping out of his skin to play,” said Mitchell.
The Crusaders named their 28-man squad for the clash yesterday, with All Blacks Leon MacDonald, Andy Ellis and Casey Laulala all included for the Members Equity showdown.
Gates open at 6pm and kick off in the non-televised match is at 8pm WDST. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.
Emirates Western Force v Crusaders
Friday 23 January, 2009
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Kick off: 8pm WDST
Emirates Western Force
1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. AJ Whalley
4. David Pusey
5. Tom Hockings
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Tamaiti Horua
9. Josh Valentine
10. Scott Daruda
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Josh Tatupu
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Haig Sare
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Luke Holmes
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Richard Stanford
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O’Young
21. Nick Cummins
22. Cameron Shepherd
23. Gareth Hardy
24. Troy Takiari
25. Filipe Manu
26. Justin Turner
27. Ben Whittaker
28. Brent Murphy
Reply With Quote
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
no good.
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
Originally Posted by oxleymoron
I wouldn't interrupt his game... He can play on the wing near me. 
let's hope it doesn't last the entire season
