Shepherd out, Inman back for Force

[travelling_gerry]

NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
May 5, 2011, 9:24 am


Full-back Cameron Shepherd will miss the Western Force's crucial Super Rugby clash against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday with a knee injury.

The loss of Shepherd, who has been carrying the knock for a few weeks, will be felt by the Force after he scored three tries in the last two games, including a double in the home loss to the Crusaders last week.

The Wallaby is replaced by Pat Dellit, whose switch from outside centre allows Rebels-bound Mitch Inman to make his first Super Rugby appearance since he dislocated his elbow in the Force's second game of the season.

Also back in the run-on side is Matt Hodgson, in for the rested Ben McCalman who is on the bench.

More to come …
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ack-for-force/

[kipper_mckinnon]

NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
May 5, 2011, 9:24 am


Full-back Cameron Shepherd will miss the Western Force's crucial Super Rugby clash against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday with a knee injury.

The loss of Shepherd, who has been carrying the knock for a few weeks, will be felt by the Force after he scored three tries in the last two games, including a double in the home loss to the Crusaders last week.

The Wallaby is replaced by Pat Dellit, whose switch from outside centre allows Rebels-bound Mitch Inman to make his first Super Rugby appearance since he dislocated his elbow in the Force's second game of the season.

Also back in the run-on side is Matt Hodgson, in for the rested Ben McCalman who is on the bench.

More to come …
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ack-for-force/

$hit - for me, Shep is our best finisher, so he WILL be missed. Dellit has been a revelation tho, so good replacement. Still think our backrow should be too good for the Tahs - hoping for a lot of broken play and not too many scrums !!!!

[Hoolly Doolly]

Kiick for territory and touch....pressure their lineout.

[jono]

Kiick for territory and touch....pressure their lineout.

As Long as the boys can put the ball into freaken touch!!!!!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[travelling_gerry]

By RugbyWA Media


Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has made several changes to the run-on side which will tackle the Waratahs on Saturday night, recalling tough loose forward Matt Hodgson and hard running centre Mitch Inman.

Hodgson made a successful return from injury last weekend as a substitute and will start at six with Richard Brown named at No.8 and David Pocock on the other flank.

After starting every game and carrying a massive workload this season, Ben McCalman will make his impact from the bench and will be joined by lock Tom Hockings and prop Tim Fairbrother who have been included in the 22 man squad.

“With injuries to David Pocock and Matt Hodgson this season Ben has played every minute of every game and we now have an opportunity to bring some fresh legs into the forward pack,” Graham said.

“Ben will still definitely be involved from the bench.”

There has been one forced change with Cameron Shepherd ruled out with a niggling knee complaint. The in-form fullback is only expected to be sidelined for one match and in his absence Patrick Dellit will take the 15 jersey with Inman to slot straight back into outside centre.

Graham acknowledged the excellent job of the club’s conditioning and medical teams to have players fit and firing after early season injuries had curtailed the numbers available for selection.

“At this time of the year it is important to be able to select from a group as broad as possible and it is a credit to the staff and players that we are in a reasonable position to do so,” said Graham.

“We’re under no illusions that even though the Waratahs have a few injury concerns they are still one of the best sides in the competition and will treasure playing at home.

“We have remained focused on ourselves and it is important that we make a statement early on Saturday night,” Graham said.

2011 Super Rugby – Week 12
Waratahs v Emirates Western Force
Saturday, 7 May 2011 at Sydney Football Stadium
Kick-off: 5.40pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Matt Dunning
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Richard Brown
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. David Smith
12. James O'Connor
13. Mitch Inman
14. Nick Cummins
15. Patrick Dellit
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Tim Fairbrother
18. Tom Hockings
19. Ben McCalman
20. James Stannard
21. Rory Sidey
22. Alfie Mafi


http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...4/Default.aspx

[kipper_mckinnon]

with Inman leaving at end of season, I would have put Sidey in the centres instead

[brokendown gunfighter]

we still want to win games,play our best team

[James]

Is an unfit Inman our best team?

If there was a vbook bet for Inman to have 3+ handling errors I would put 10,000,000 vdollars on that.

[travelling_gerry]

DONE

[BDAVEY]

gee thats a good team on paper.... if we dont win another game.. win Saturday please.... to me Tahs are in the same cat. as Collingwood!!!!!!!!

[hertryk]

So I can assume JOC has recovered from whatever was ailing him last week?

[James]

Turns out I don't put my money where my mouth is

I've had to settle for just 5 mill on it. My vwife wouldn't let me put any more on it- I'm vwhipped.

Ahh screw it. I'll just sleep on the vcouch for a vweek or two.

This is going to cost one of us big time.

[robyn <3]

I'm spewing, Sidey's proven himself well and truly up for the challenge of Super rugby and should be given the go ahead of Inman. Uncool.

I've have Brown on the bench before McCalmum

[brokendown gunfighter]

with Inman leaving at end of season, I would have put Sidey in the centres instead

so,if O'connor decides to move on,do you leave him out too?

[James]

I'd say thats an entirely different kettle of fish. Firstly, James O'Connor is a match winner, Mitch Inman is not. Secondly, James O'Connor is match fit, Inman hasn't played a game since round 3. Thirdly, the difference (IMO) between Inman and Sidey is fairly small while the difference between O'Connor and Fairbanks (his likely replacement) is huge. I just think Inman should start from the bench.

I don't mind the McCalman benched before Brown call. The first 40-50 minutes will probably be a complete arm wrestle and the Tahs will play it all through their forwards. Let Brown, arguably the better tackler, wear himself out bringing down the Tahs forwards and then bring McCalman, arguably the better ball runner, on for the final 30 to get us some great go forward ball.