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A wide spread of KWIK Premier Grade teams will welcome the inclusion of Emirates Western Force players this weekend with eight of the club’s contracted Super Rugby personnel using the bye to get extra match time in the local competition.
Third placed Perth-Bayswater welcome fleet footed winger David Smith and centre Alfie Mafi to their stocks when they take on UWA at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Big lock Tom Hockings will pull on the Associates jersey in their clash with second placed Cottesloe who will boast the experience of Mark Bartholomeusz and up and coming scrumhalf Mark Swanepoel.
Mitch Inman will line-up for Kalamunda at Hartfield Park in Forrestfield as the Bulls tackle Wests Subiaco. Inman made his debut for Kalamunda a fortnight ago in his first game back from an elbow injury sustained in week 3 of the Super Rugby campaign but didn’t have too long to enjoy the experience after being felled early in the game. The nasty gash to his head required two dozen stitches however he is determined to see out the 80 minutes this time around..
Reigning Australian Sevens ‘Player of the Year’ James Stannard will return to Palmyra where he won the PG Hampshire Award in 2006. They take on Wanneroo at their recently upgraded home ground in Kingsway with the Roo Dogs fielding tough flanker Tevita Metuisela.
Emirates Western Force Head Coach Richard Graham has put a lot more emphasis into establishing a stronger link between the professional and the community arms of rugby in Perth and this weekend provided a good opportunity to get some quality players back into their local system.
“Given we have a bye this weekend and a number of players that need rugby it was a great opportunity to get back and play for their local clubs,” said Graham.
“The players who have played every week in Super Rugby have this weekend off to recuperate before we take on the Brumbies next Saturday, however everyone else has been assessed individually and have been given programmes including playing in the KWIK Premier Grade.”