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The Emirates Western Force have been rewarded for their Australian ‘slam’ by having ten players named in the Wallabies squad by coach Robbie Deans this morning.
Pek Cowan and Matt Hodgson have been named in the senior side for the first time, joining capped team-mates Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock, Richard Brown, Josh Valentine, Matt Giteau, James O’Connor, Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell in the 29-man squad.
The ten players selected compares favourably to the Waratahs (9), Brumbies (6) and the Reds (4). It is also the highest number of players selected in a national squad in the club’s history.
Hodgson, an inaugural member of the Emirates Western Force (along with Cowan), has tallied 43 Super Rugby caps since his arrival in Perth, including all 13 in 2009. Man-of-the-Match against the Reds and Highlanders, Hodgson and fellow backrowers Pocock (two Tests) and Brown (five Tests) formed a fearsome trio for the WA side
Loosehead prop Cowan started 11 games this season in a stable front row combination which also featured veteran hooker Tai McIsaac and marquee tighthead Ben Castle. An Australian representative at Schools, U19, U21 and ‘A’ levels, the 22 year-old cemented his position in the starting XV when Gareth Hardy went down with a knee injury in week two of the competition.
“Both Matt and Pek have been included with one eye on the future,” Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says.
“They both play in areas where we have a clear need, and are looking to build up our depth. Their selection today gives us an opportunity over the next month to get them started, in terms of exposing them to the international environment.”
The second-youngest Wallaby in history, 18 year-old O’Connor will seek to add to the one Test cap he won against Italy in Padua in 2008. The versatile back, who can cover fullback, inside centre and flyhalf, scored five tries in ten games in the 2009 Investec Super 14.
The desire to continue the development process is also behind the decision to switch O’Connor from the Australian Under-20s, for whom he was named earlier in the month, into the Wallabies.
“If anything, it is simply the level of James’ performance in the Super 14 that has changed our thought process specific to his circumstance, and what is best both for his career development, and for Australian Rugby overall,” Deans says.
“This decision reflects the development pathway that we believe is the most appropriate for James at this stage of his career.”
Sharpe, a veteran of 74 Tests and 119 Super Rugby games, and outside centre Cross will be looking to emulate their 2008 Wallabies’ campaigns. Sharpe added 10 Tests to his tally last year, while Cross played 11 times for his country in his rookie Wallaby season.
Brumbies-bound duo Giteau and Valentine impressed in their combination at scrumhalf and flyhalf in their first season together at the Force. Giteau broke the club’s record for points in a season with 128, while Valentine started 12 consecutive games after missing week one with a hamstring strain.
Mitchell, who has scored 17 tries in 29 Tests, has been a fixture in representative squads ever since he was selected to play for the Australian U16s in 2000. Still only 25 years old, Mitchell started at fullback in all 13 games in 2009, scoring four tries.
The Emirates Western Force defeated all three Australian rivals in 2009, downing the Brumbies 25-16 in Canberra, the Waratahs 15-14 in Sydney and the Reds 39-7 in Perth
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Originally Posted by WF2006
Go the force!! We are the very extremely best. As proven by the fact that the majoritory of the Wallabies played for US during this season 
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
