Western Force Squad Announced for Stormers Clash in Cape Town

[RugbyWA]

Big Sam Wykes will be back in action against the Stormers

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his team for Saturday night’s Investec Super 14 Week 13 clash with the Stormers at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

Australian Under 20s star Sam Wykes returns frommuscular and ligament damage to his left shoulder to be named at lock while Test number 8 Richard Brown was ruled out today with an ankle injury.

Brown’s omission sees the experienced Tamaiti Horua move into the starting lineup to occupy the role at the back of the scrum for the fourth time this season.

The team received a boost however when James O’Connor was cleared to play at inside centre at this morning’s training session in Cape Town after recovering from a shoulder sprain.

Left wing Cameron Shepherd will undergo a fitness test on his injured left knee tomorrow (Friday) after sitting out most of today’s session.

Mitchell has reverted back to a standard reserves bench alignment of four forwards and three backs, recalling back-up scrumhalf Chris O’Young having opted to carry an extra forward in the team’s past two outings.

AJ Whalley remains on the bench as the reserve prop with Gareth Hardy missing out on a place in the selected 22.

Mitchell said his side requires a four-try victory at Newlands to stay in the hunt for a finals berth.

“We’re chasing four tries and a win, that’s the only way we can make it from here,” said Mitchell.

“We’ve been in this situation for about four weeks now so our approach doesn’t change. We’ve got to continue to play proactively and continue an attacking focus and can’t be concerned by what the other teams around us (on the ladder) are doing,” he said.

Mitchell said injuries to key Stormers players had not factored in his side’s preparation for the clash.

“I believe they are a team in disguise, based on ability. They’re very hard to break down. Even last week (against the Chiefs) there wasn’t a lot in it despite the (injury) concerns the Stormers have,” he said.

Mitchell said he was hopeful Test back Cameron Shepherd would be available for the match.

“We still believe he’ll make it so we’ve decided to give him anther session tomorrow (to prove his fitness).”



2009 Investec Super 14 Week 13

Emirates Western Force v Stormers

Saturday 9 May, 2009

Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, SA

Kick off: 7.05pm SA (1.05pm AWST)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Ben Castle
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Tamaiti Horua
9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shepherd
12. James O’Connor
13. Ryan Cross
14. Scott Staniforth
15. Drew Mitchell

Reserves

16. Ben Whittaker
17. AJ Whalley
18. Tom Hockings
19. Richard Stanford
20. Chris O’Young
21. Josh Tatupu
22. Haig Sare

[jono]

CO'Y returneth!

[force addict]

so glad to see Wykes back in the mix and Shepherd on the wing and J'OC cleared of injury but a real shame for Brownie. Hopefully he is all good for the final game next week. glad to see C OY on the bench and please give him some game time Coach Mitch.

[travelling_gerry]

Spanner.....99.....

[Cookie]

Good to see 3 backs on the bench,we need to focus on the win first before thinking about the bonus point.

Will start again up front,hope they keep up the good work.Team looks good,no excuses this week.

[zimeric]

wheres cummings?
is he still in perth resting up for the last game?

[KenyaQuin]

Hopefully we'll get to see abit more of Josh at 12. Liked what I saw against the Bulls and would like to see if there is some consistency there to give me some confidence should JO'C wander off into the horizon as anticipated.