Force Squad Announced for Reds Pre-Season Match

[Darren]

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell has announced his squad for tomorrow’s final trial against the Reds at ME Bank Stadium in Perth.

The 23-man group includes nine players who are set to make their first appearance at home for the club. Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Mitch Inman, Brett Sheehan, Sam Harris, Ben McCalman and Mark Bartholomeusz all saw game time during the two trials in Cape Town, while teenager Stefano Hunt has been named for his first appearance in the senior side, having impressed at the recent Digicel Suva Sevens.

Capped Wallabies in the side include David Pocock, Richard Brown, James O’Connor, Cameron Shepherd, Pek Cowan, Henderson, Dunning, Bartholomeusz, Sheehan and club skipper Nathan Sharpe. Reigning Emirates Western Force Player of the Year, Matt Hodgson, who played for the Wallabies in a non-cap fixture against the Barbarians in 2009, will also take his place in the side.

Cowan, who missed the trip to Africa, has recovered from a slight knee strain and will get match practise ahead of the season opener next week.

Marquee signing Andre Pretorius has been withheld from the game after feeling tightness in his leg during the week while Haig Sare continues his recovery from an Achilles strain.

Mitchell said two matches in four days during the Neo Africa Tri-Series had given most of the squad game time.

“The boys had the chance to come together and learn quickly during the trials in South Africa, which was pleasing, we will need everyone in the squad in this competition,” Mitchell said.

“We need to get the mix right each week and play to our strengths.

He added that Friday’s trial was a vital hit-out going into game one.

“Trial scoreboards mean nothing at the end of the day. This match (against the Reds) we will be looking to be more accurate at some areas of our performance and then make adjustments for round one.

“ME Bank Stadium is our new home, and we need to bring our side of the bargain. It’s our job to bring performance, and the right performance, that’s our job starting next week against the Brumbies.”

Trial Match
Emirates Western Force v Queensland Reds
Friday, 5 February 2010 at ME Bank Stadium
Kick-off 7.45pm

Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Nic Henderson, Matt Hodgson, Tim Fairbrother, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (c), Richard Stanford, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.

Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Sam Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Stefano Hunt, Mitch Inman, James O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Josh Tatupu.

[zimeric]

Glad to see some young talent get some solid time on the park.. will be great to see stefano playing for the first time... I hear he is a real handful in attack.

[Thequeerone]

Mark Bartholomeusz seems to be Andre's stand in and as such is getting kindda important - also heard that Pek will be starting Hooker

[shasta]

Can probably expect to see Stefano Hunt or JOC there (5/8) at some stage too.

[blueandblack]

Note to self: bring camera.

[BDAVEY]

EWF will struggle out wide with the reds backs

[GIGS20]

Well, we mightn't be letting it get out wide!

[BDAVEY]

Hunt didnt realise he was only a teenager whats his up bringing....?

[travelling_gerry]

Hunt didnt realise he was only a teenager whats his up bringing....?

try here

http://twf.com.au/forumdisplay.php?f=200

[James]

EWF will struggle out wide with the reds backs

Based on the players in our team we should win in the scrums, win in the line-outs and win the battle of the breakdown. I wouldn't be overly worried. I reckon Cooper will be pretty rusty and have a few of his trademark brain farts.

[.X.]

note to all attending

send Exile sms updates.

Who has a wedding on a Friday afternoon/night?????

[farva]

So whats the likely starting team?

Dunning
Whittaker
Fairbrother
Wykes
Sharpe
Hodgson
Pocock
Brown

Sheehan
Bartholomeuz
Shepherd
Hunt
Tatupu
Haylett-Petty
OConnor

Cowen
Henderson
Longbum
Stanford
McCalman
OYoung
Harris
Inman

I reckon Cowen will start on the bench and offer cover for prop and hooker
I can see someone like Hunt starting to be thrown in the deep end to see what they are capable of.
I reckon that with Pretorius out, and Bartholomeuz taking over flyhalf duties, OConnor will go to fullback, although I think Shepherd is the better option here.
I couldnt see an obvious outside centre in the team so threw Tatupu there, although he normally plays 12, his size should work at 13 too.

I think the force should win, but the Reds backs are very strong this year. Having said that, Link will get them to try and play 10 man rugby and the Reds havent got the team for that.

Force by 20. Unless the Reds backs get a lot of ball.

[travelling_gerry]

Tip is that Pek is starting at hooker.

[Burgs]

Pek confirmed.
I imagine they will want to get some miles into Stanford and McCalman too so don't be surprised if they cover two thirds the match at #6 and #8 with Brownie, with Hodgo and Bam sharing #7.

[Cookie]

Will be interested to read some feedback on what it was like to be at MES, Im hoping to come over for a game and hope that it will be worth the trip.