The starting Force lineup

[Chief]

Let's see some predictions for the starting lineup + the bench for the first Force game next year. I'm sure this thread will create much debate with some players...

[no.8]

My considered opinion :hello2:

1. Gareth Hardy 2. Brendan Cannon 3. David Fitter

4. Nathan Sharpe 5. John Welborn

6. David Pusey 7. Scott Fava 8. Luke Doherty

9. Chris O'Young 10. Brock James

12. Lachlan MacKay 13. Junior Pelesasa

11. Cameron Shepherd 14. Digby Ioane 15. James Hilgendorp

16. Luke Holmes 17. Angus Scott
18. Rudi Vedelago 19. Matt Hodgeson
20. Matt Henjak 21. Scott Daruda
22. Tahjon Smallman-Mailata

[brokendown gunfighter]

what? henjak on the bench?

[Burgs]

Mine's not too far off yours no.8, although I agree with brokendown gunfighter, I can't see Henjak starting the first match on the bench.
My pick, injuries permitting (not sure if Pelesasa is going to be available for the first round):
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Dave Fitter
4. John Welborn
5. Nathan Sharpe (C)
6. Tim Davidson
7. David Pusey
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Brock James (Kicker)
11. James Hilgendorf
12. Lachlan MacKay
13. Scott Daruda
14. Junior Pelesasa
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Angus Scott
17. Tai McIsaac
18. Rudi Vedelago
19. Matt Hodgson
20. Chris O'Young
21. Digby Ioane
22. Josh Graham
If the drafted winger is a starting XV quality then he'll go to 14, Pelesasa to 13 and Daruda to 21.
I think we have proportionally greater quality in the forwards but some excellent potential in the backs if we can get through '06 without too many dramas.
The competition between James and McKay at 5/8 will be very healthy however, if McKay gets the nod then, I think James would go to 14 rather than Inside Centre with Daruda blooded at 12 and Pelesasa at 13.
This Front Row keeps the Sydney Uni Premiership combination together and only Pusey keeps the three best Backrowers from this years Tooheys New Cup starting together.
Welborn will most likely start (first game at least as homegrown factor) however, he may end up coming off the bench as an impact player towards the end of the season.
Graham was apparently a tackling machine in League so hopefully will be able to cause a bit of havoc off the bench against tiring opposition.
That's my two bobs worth anyway!

[Burgs]

Fitter, Fava, Henjak, MacKay, Shepherd and Ioane certainly didn't do their starting chances any harm against the Barbarians! A shame that Daruda got injured as it would have been a great opportunity to see five Force backs running together.
Keen to see Sharpey and Canno have a blinder to put the rest of '05 behind them and hit '06 running.

[Burgs]

Does anyone know what the record for being selected for 23rd man for the Wallabies is?!?!!?
Surely Fava is the record holder by now?
Not sure what he has to do to get a jersey, perhaps following the Marseilles Masacre he may get a look in. I would start him and hope for the same result as having kept Brett Lee 12th man for the Aus cricket for so many games, he's now so fired up he's knocking wickets over regularly and blasting boundaries. Hopefully Fava can take heart from that and get a shot soon.

Any other thoughts on Western Force first game starting team?

[no.8]

what? henjak on the bench?

At that time Chris O'Young was the form half back in Sydney, don't forget he was the reserve half back with the 'tahs, just Henjak was at the Brumbies!!!

BDGF, just my personal opinion, on form it could reverse - from what I saw of the Australia 'A' Henjak played very well and I would have had him on the French bench for the Wallabies with that performance!

[no.8]

Does anyone know what the record for being selected for 23rd man for the Wallabies is?!?!!?
Surely Fava is the record holder by now?

The official line is that the 23rd is an unofficial position and no records are kept as the player will not take the field unless he becomes part of the 22 man squad.

[Burgs]

Righto, with the completion of the Force 33 man squad now with the recruiting of Scott Staniforth, here is my selection for first starting lineup, injury permitting.

1 Gareth Hardy,
186cm 112kg S12 17 Caps

2 Brendan Cannon,
188cm 108kg S12 88 Caps Tests 40 Caps

3 David Fitter,
183cm 121kg S12 15 Caps Tests 2 Caps

4 John Welborn,
197cm 120kg S12 51 Caps Tests 6 Caps

5 Nathan Sharpe (Captain),
200cm 115kg S12 71 Caps Tests 41 Caps

6 David Pusey,
196cm 110kg S12 23 Caps Munster 34 Caps

7 Tim Davidson,
194cm 101kg Australian Sevens '04

8 Scott Fava,
189cm 103kg S12 51 Caps Tests 2 Caps

9 Matt Henjak,
181cm 88kg S12 18 Caps Tests 4 Caps

10 Brock James,
177cm 87kg S12 3 Caps Australian Sevens Taranaki MVP

11 James Hilgendorf,
182cm 89kg State 2 Caps Viadana and Taranaki

12 Lachlan MacKay (Vice Captain),
188cm 98kg S12 7 Caps Tests 1 Cap

13 Junior Pelesasa,
180cm 94kg S12 33 Caps Australia A 05

14 Scott Staniforth,
187cm 100kg State 72 Caps Tests 3 Caps London Irish 34 Caps

15 Cameron Shepherd,
189cm 97kg S12 17 Caps Australia A 04-05


16 Angus Scott,
185cm 114kg S12 21 Caps

17 Tai McIsaac,
178cm 112kg S14 14 Australia A 03

18 Rudi Vedelago,
198cm 113kg S12 25 Caps Australia A 02-03,05

19 Matt Hodgson,
184cm 100kg State 5 Caps Australia A 05 Australian Sevens (Capt) 04

20 Chris O'Young,
179cm 84kg S12 8 Caps Australian Sevens 02-03

21 Scott Daruda,
184cm 95kg S12 2 Caps

22 Digby Ioane,
179cm 93kg Australia A 05

Scrum: 890kgs
Lineout options: #5-200cm, #4-197cm, #6-196cm, #7-194cm
8 Wallabies Highest Honours
6 Australia A Highest Honours

I reckon we'll do okay, getting more confident the closer we get to kick off!

[Darren]

[Edit: I only just noticed you'd added height / weight after I posted this Burgs - I'll leave it all in any way. Only one Number 8 - who's gonna backup for Fava?]

Here's the final list of Western Force players:

Player	Height	Weight	Birthday	Position
Richard Brown	189cm	101kg	28/8/1984	Flanker
Vitori Buatava	180cm	90kg	1/11/1985	Scrumhalf
Brendan Cannon	188cm	108kg	5/4/1973	Hooker
Pekahou Cowan	184cm	108kg	2/6/1986	Prop
Scott Daruda	184cm	95kg	17/2/1986	Flyhalf / Centre
Tim Davidson	194cm	101kg	3/11/1982	Back Row
Luke Doherty	195cm	105kg	2/2/1982	Flanker
Scott Fava	189cm	103kg	19/1/1976	Number 8
David Fitter	183cm	119kg	27/1/1977	Prop
Josh Graham	190cm	98kg	1/10/1983	Centre
Gareth Hardy	186cm	112kg	9/12/1980	Prop
Matt Henjak	181cm	88kg	25/11/1981	Scrumhalf
James Hilgendorf	182cm	89kg	29/3/1982	Utility Back
Matt Hodgson	184cm	100kg	25/6/1981	Flanker
Luke Holmes	184cm	106kg	14/11/1983	Hooker
Digby Ioane	179cm	93kg	14/7/1985	Outside Centre / Wing
Brock James	177cm	87kg	22/10/1981	Flyhalf
Tajhon Mailata	184cm	94kg	21/1/1986	Fullback
Tai McIsaac	178cm	112kg	19/3/1975	Hooker
Lachlan MacKay	188cm	101kg	30/11/1982	Flyhalf
Chris O'Young	179cm	84kg	3/3/1981	Scrumhalf
Zander Peden	181cm	97kg	15/5/1986	Centre / Wing
Junior Pelesasa	180cm	94kg	17/10/1980	Centre
David Pusey	196cm	110kg	28/1/1979	Lock / Flanker
Angus Scott	185cm	114kg	11/4/1978	Prop
Nathan Sharpe	200cm	115kg	21/2/1978	Lock
Cameron Shepherd	189cm	97kg	30/3/1984	Fullback / Wing
Scott Staniforth	188cm	100kg	12/12/1977	Fullback / Wing
Brett Stapleton	190cm	90kg	7/5/1987	Wing
Rudi Vedelago	198cm	113kg	31/12/1980	Lock
John Welborn	197cm	120kg	8/9/1970	Lock
Matt Windle	194cm	104kg	17/7/1978	Lock
AJ Whalley	186cm	112kg	20/05/1982	Prop

[Burgs]

I have gone with that backrow as you have good options at 8 with Pusey and Davidson, and Hodgson equally able in the three positions for the Marlins sitting on the bench, although probably best suited to 6 or 7. Davidson was Number 8 for Sydney Uni and excelled there.

[Heavensgame]

Here you go:

1. AJ Whalley
2. Luke Holmes
3. Pekahou Cowan
4. Nathan Sharpe
5. Rudi Vedelago
6. Tim Davidson
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Chris O'Young
10. Lachlan MacKay
11. Scott Staniforth
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Digby Ioane
14. James Hilgendorf
15. Cameron Shepherd


Cheers

Jer

[Chief]

It is expected that Junior Pelessasa will miss the first half of the season or so due to injury.

[Burgs]

The full squad profiles, including "Apprentices", is now up on the RugbyWA website.
Mitchell and crew has done some great recruiting with the younger members and will help lay a strong platform for the future.
www.rugbywa.com.au/wa/wa.rugby/page/29976

[zacko70]

1.G.Hardy
2.B.Cannon
3.D.Fitter
4.D.Pusey
5.N.Sharpe
6.L.Doherty
7.M.Hodgson
8.S.Fava
9.M.Henjak
10.S.Daruda
11.D.Ioane
12.J.Graham
13.J.Pelesasa
14.S.Staniforth
15.C.Shepard

16.L.Holmes
17.AJ.Whalley
18.J.Welborn
19.R.Brown
20.C.O'Young
21.L.McKay
22.J.Hilgendorf