Seven Changes to Force Squad for Cheetahs Clash

[RugbyWA]

Emirates Western Force Coach John Mitchell has reshaped his side ahead of a clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday with seven changes to the starting XV, including a refreshed front row, as the battle for places heats up.

Experienced campaigner Nick Henderson returns to loosehead prop, Tim Fairbrother, back in the squad after overcoming an ankle injury, will play at tighthead, while Nathan Charles earns his second start at hooker.

Tom Hockings is set to partner Nathan Sharpe at lock in a further shake-up to the tight-five however the back row retains a familiar look with Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown continuing their outstanding partnership.

Justin Turner, who was this week selected in the Australian U20’s team to play in the IRB Junior World Cup in Argentina, will start his first match of the season at scrumhalf while Cameron Shepherd, wing, and James O’Connor, fullback, have also been included.

“We planned before we came away that everyone who was on the tour would be contributing,” Mitchell said.

“We wanted to give everyone a run and apart from the injury to Scott Staniforth (neck) everything is going to plan. There is real competition for places which is a healthy position for us to be in.

“It’s our second week in Africa and there are players in our group that are pretty excited to get started. The boys know what it is like now to build momentum and it’s just a matter of going in there (against the Cheetahs) and doing it again.”

The Force has show terrific form in the latter part of the season, winning four of their last five matches. Victories against the Crusaders and Lions in the past fortnight have set-up an opportunity to secure three consecutive wins, a feat achieved only once before in club history.

The West Australian’s have an impressive record against the Cheetahs, winning all four clashes between the sides, but know they’ll face a tough challenge on Saturday night.

“While neither side can make the finals this season we probably have very similar motivation in the fact that we want to perform well and finish off the season well,” Mitchell said.

“Both sides are coming into this match in good form. It’s a great crowd, a great stadium and they (Cheetahs) take a lot of pride in their football, so our guys are really excited by this challenge.

Prop Matt Dunning has been named as a reserve and, should he see game time, will bring up his 100th Super Rugby match after playing 90 with the Waratahs before joining the Emirates Western Force this season.

2010 Investec Bank Super 14 – Round 13
Cheetahs v Emirates Western Force
Saturday, 8 May 2010 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 5.05pm (SAST) / 11.05pm (AWST)

Referee: Craig Joubert

Emirates Western Force Squad
1 Nick Henderson
2 Nathan Charles
3 Tim Fairbrother
4 Tom Hockings
5 Nathan Sharpe
6 Matt Hodgson
7 David Pocock
8 Richard Brown
9 Justin Turner
10 David Hill
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Ryan Cross
13 Mitch Inman
14 Nick Cummins
15 James O’Connor
Reserves
16 Ben Whittaker (FR)
17 Matt Dunning (FR)
18 Sam Wykes
19 Ben McCalman
20 Chris O’Young
21 Sam Harris
22 Mark Bartholomeusz

[palitu]

rather pekka than dunny on the bench... not impressed with him, and unfortunately, i was one who was talking him up at the start of the season...

[jono]

Where is sheehan? Did I miss something?
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[Cookie]

Good team the only selection, but I dont agree with henderson in for cowan, I think this is unfair because cowan has been playing consistently well and I'm sure is working his butt off for to try and impress the wallabies selectors, which is pretty hard to do when you are not even named in the 22. The Force owe it to him to give him every chance to earn selection, that is the main role of all australian s14 teams.

I can understand the change if Pek was not playing well or if hendo was a better player, but to replace him just to give hendo game time is ridiculous.

Look what happened with the scrum against the blues when they left Pek out, they shouldnt have the same problem against the Cheetahs but thats not the point.

How does can a club expect their players to be loyal to them when they show no loyalty to their players.

This is a professional game and you would expect to use your best players each week.

Pek has every right to feel let down by the coaching staff and the club.

[brokendown gunfighter]

Mitchell said he would give everyone a trot on the tour,hence the rotations-looks like O'Young will get a farewell run as well

[zimeric]

I thought turner was targetted a bit in the last couple of weeks.. he really struggled at the base of rucks against the Saders and was shut down against the Lions... Mitchell is not one for sentiment.. hes brought Chrisso on as he is more consistent at this point than Turner, surprised he didnt swap them around..


i also like the back line

best one we've fielded this year i think

10 David Hill
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Ryan Cross
13 Mitch Inman
14 Nick Cummins
15 James O’Connor

[GIGS20]

It looks to me like (Apart from Dunning) the emphasis has been a bit more on mobility. JT is a zippy sort of a scrummie, and (assuming it all goes well) he'll help to bugger out those massive saffer forwards for Crisso to come on and seal the deal. Backrow.....as usual, agressive and nippy, I'd reckon Hendo got the bikkes for his running game more than his set piece, and Cheese runs like a bloody winger, so you can expect them to try to go around the outsides this week.

Particularly when you factor the Shep running off Rabbit situation!

[jono]

I reckon we will see charles at fb in defense from time to time as well
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[zimeric]

aaah you guys are funny

his nickname is used once in the worst today and youre all using it like weve been calling him that for years!!! GO CHEESE!!

[travelling_gerry]

There was something in the Crusaders game match program too I think.

[BeeJay]

Where is sheehan? Did I miss something?
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DITTO

[sandgroperrugby]

I thought turner was targetted a bit in the last couple of weeks.. he really struggled at the base of rucks against the Saders and was shut down against the Lions... Mitchell is not one for sentiment.. hes brought Chrisso on as he is more consistent at this point than Turner, surprised he didnt swap them around..


i also like the back line

best one we've fielded this year i think

10 David Hill
11 Cameron Shepherd
12 Ryan Cross
13 Mitch Inman
14 Nick Cummins
15 James O’Connor

Gee thats a BIG backline aside from the fullback, not much pace there though bit more battering ram style. Are any apsrt from JO'C under 100kgs

[zimeric]

Cullet has plenty of Pace... did you see him latch onto chavhanga from behind in the last match? i was rather impressed!

i think he is under 100kgs (96 afaik)

[tragic]

This is Orstraya, zim. Nicknames stick like superglue. I've known people for years before finally discovering their real names.

[Thequeerone]

Different take Hill safe hands, Turner potentially young brilliant playmaker - then if at 60 mins put say O'Conor at 10 coupled with safe hands O'Young we'd be making up some interesting combos for the future - if we avoid injuries we'd have some really impressive young guns for next year.

BTW Dunning and Hill tied no 1 in the players players voting this week
Cummins was second