Pre Season Match 10 February 2011 - Nowra

[The InnFORCEr]

The team will be doing a Captains Run on Wednesday at 5pm EST so there should be a team list out just after that.

I won't be there until Thursday before the games....anyone else heading down the coast?

My guess is

1. Matt Dunning
2. Nathan Charles
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Phoenix Battye
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Ben McCalman
9. James Stannard
10. Willie Ripia
11. Alfie Mafi
12. James O'Connor
13. Mitch Inman
14. David Smith
15. Cameron Shepherd

[BDAVEY]

Now thats looking like a good team on paper... whats happen to las years1/2 back Shehnam No Richard Brown>>>???

[James]

That is just a guess Bill.

Sheehan was injured a while ago I think, not sure if he still is.

[Sheikh]

If not injured then I suspect Brown and Sheehan on the bench, plus Pek, Whittaker and Hocking. And a great potential front-row in the Force A - Alo-Emile, Siliva and Ah-Nua!

Anyone know much about Tevita Metuisela? According to his bio on the Rugby WA site he's George Smith's cousin, used to play league and was in the Brumbies academy in 2009. Another east-coast cast-off with the potential to be a nugget of gold, or a journeyman who'll fill in if injuries start to bite?

[travelling_gerry]

Thats not an official team!

[James]

Anyone know much about Tevita Metuisela? According to his bio on the Rugby WA site he's George Smith's cousin, used to play league and was in the Brumbies academy in 2009. Another east-coast cast-off with the potential to be a nugget of gold, or a journeyman who'll fill in if injuries start to bite?

Played No 8. for Manly in the Shute Shield. Someone was saying on G&GR that he was the best unsigned (at the time) 8 in the competition. Sounds like he has potential but with the backrow we have I'm not sure he will see a whole lot of game time. Plus he is 28 so it is a bit of an odd signing. I was hoping the Force would pick up a wrecking ball style 8 (Palu or Leroy Houston style) but he isn't even 110kgs so probably no joy there.

[palitu]

never rated houton either :/

[Rex Messup]

Played No 8. for Manly in the Shute Shield. Someone was saying on G&GR that he was the best unsigned (at the time) 8 in the competition. Sounds like he has potential but with the backrow we have I'm not sure he will see a whole lot of game time. Plus he is 28 so it is a bit of an odd signing. I was hoping the Force would pick up a wrecking ball style 8 (Palu or Leroy Houston style) but he isn't even 110kgs so probably no joy there.

The cunning plan was to get him to Perth and impregnate some of the locals with rugby genes

[James]

Like him or hate him there are games where you need a wrecking ball. Our top four backrowers are all in the same mould around 190cm and 108kgs. Both Palu and Houston put 10kgs on that. Admittedly they are both a bit lazy but an in form Palu can be devastating. Luckily for us, Pocock and Sharpie were among the Wallabies' best at driving over the gain line.

[BDAVEY]

any chance of listening to the game tomorrow ??

[Lee Grant]

EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE v WARATAHS
Thursday 10 February at Shoalhaven Rugby Park, Nowra
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEDT)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3.Tim Fairbrother
4. Phoenix Battye
5. Ben McCalman
6. Matt Hodgson (Captain)
7. Jono Jenkins
8. Richard Brown
9. James Stannard
10. James O’Connor
11. Alfie Mafi
12. Gene Fairbanks
13. Rory Sidey
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd

Curtain raiser

This will now be Junior Waratahs v an Invitational side, which will comprise a number of Force players plus local NSW club players.

[The InnFORCEr]

Just made it Nowra, bloody pub in Kangaroo Valley was shut, not happy!

Hotel reception tells me they are expecting over 5000 at the game which could pose parking issues and may have to get a bus! Best I get down to the ground and grab a ticket before I take some time out for a pre game

In fact I've now been down to the ground (5 minutes from Hotel), two tin shed for seating the rest is open, 2500 tickets sold so far....chance of a shower I would say.

[blueandblack]

Mein uncle used to live in Vincentia a bit south of Nowra (on Jervis Bay)

[The Man]

Some newspaper talk

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/n...l/2069035.aspx

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/n...s/2025550.aspx


http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...a/2057429.aspx

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...p/2054094.aspx

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...l/2045233.aspx

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...n/2041572.aspx

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...n/2070813.aspx

http://www.southcoastregister.com.au...k/2070820.aspx

[todd4]

Will we be getting a running commentary from the ground? hint..hint..