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Willie Ripia and James O’Connor will line-up alongside each other at first and second receiver with Coach Richard Graham keen to see his prime playmakers in action together against the Brumbies.
Graham has made a number of positional changes, most notably in his backline, for the clash in Canberra, including handing Pat Dellit his first Super Rugby start in place of Cameron Shepherd who was ruled out after taking a heavy fall in the closing minutes against the Waratahs last weekend.
“In making team selections we look at how we can best line-up against our opposition. I’ve wanted to see what impact James could have at 12 and the structure we’ve got against the Brumbies has allowed that to happen,” Graham said.
“I wanted to explore something different but it hasn’t come about because of a perceived lack of ball James got last week when he played fullback. The stats show that he touched the ball only eight times less than Willie did at flyhalf so that wasn’t a significant factor in the move.”
Other changes to the backs will see Rory Sidey move to outside centre while Nick Cummins relocates to the wing.
Up front emerging prop Kieran Longbottom will make his first Super Rugby start after some impressive displays from the bench. Longbottom has played 14 matches for the club will take over the number one jersey from Pek Cowan who has shouldered a significant workload in 2011.
Longbottom, who made his senior debut in 2008, is a local WA product and has enjoyed his most consistent season to date in professional rugby.
“Kieran has been performing well and deserves a chance to start,” said Graham.
“It’s great to see him make the most of his opportunities so far this season and I’m confident he’ll be able to have a positive impact in the front row against some quality opposition.”
Graham is expecting a tough challenge against a Brumbies side that received a confidence boost after snapping a five match barren run with a win over the Hurricanes last weekend in Canberra.
“They’ve had predominantly very close fought matches throughout the season while their two wins have come at home. It definitely tells us they are fighting hard in every match and enjoy playing in front of their supporters,” Graham said.
“We’ll need to work hard for each other and display a real intensity in our defensive line against a side that passes the ball more than any other in Super Rugby. I’ll be looking for our attack to apply pressure by looking after possession.”
2011 Super Rugby – Week 9
Brumbies v Emirates Western Force
Sunday, 17 April 2011 at Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 2.10pm (AWST)
1. Kieran Longbottom
2. Ben Whittaker
3. Tim Fairbrother
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. Jono Jenkins
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. David Smith
12. James O'Connor
13. Rory Sidey
14. Nick Cummins
15. Pat Dellit
Reserves
16. Nathan Charles
17. Pek Cowan
18. Tom Hockings
19. Tevita Metuisela
20. James Stannard
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Alfie Mafi