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Emirates Western Force Coach Richard Graham has kept changes to a minimum for Saturday night’s clash against the Brumbies with Ben McCalman and Rory Sidey the only alterations to the run-on side that last stepped out a fortnight ago.
McCalman will start at Number 8 after playing his part from the bench against the Waratahs prior to the bye weekend while fellow loose forward Richard Brown will spend a week on the sidelines after being restricted to light duties with a few minor niggles.
Fullback Cameron Shepherd wasn’t considered as he continues to recover from a knee complaint but both he and Brown are expected to be available for the club’s two match tour to New Zealand.
Other moves will see Sidey takes the outside centre position in place of Mitch Inman while on the bench West Australian prop Kieran Longbottom, experienced back Gene Fairbanks and tough flanker Jono Jenkins return.
While some sides have struggled to find their best form following a bye, Graham is confident his side won’t suffer any lag effects and has been impressed with the enthusiasm at training this week.
“I looked at the squad when they came back on Monday after the bye and boys were in fantastic spirits,” Graham said.
“The bye has been scheduled there for a long while so we’ve had the time to plan around it. Certainly we’ve seen examples where teams coming off the bye don’t perform as well as expected however I’m confident we have taken the right steps to ensure that isn’t a factor for us this weekend.”
The Emirates Western Force produced a hard fought 27-19 win against the Brumbies in their last encounter just over a month ago in Canberra and will be hoping to repeat the dose on home soil.
In the last three outings between the teams it has been the ‘away’ side who has taken the points, however the West Australian’s have won three of the last four against the Brumbies.
While prepared for a fired up ACT outfit following Coach Tony Rea’s public roasting of his players, Graham said it hadn’t been something they’d specifically addressed this week.
“I think any time that the coach comes out publicly and gives a spray like that there’ll be a reaction but to be honest since coming back from the bye this week all we’ve focused on is ourselves and our performance,” Graham said.
2011 Super Rugby – Week 14
Emirates Western Force v Brumbies
Saturday, 21 May 2011 at nib Stadium
Kick-off: 8.05pm (AWST)
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Matt Dunning
4. Sam Wykes
5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain)
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Willie Ripia
11. David Smith
12. James O'Connor
13. Rory Sidey
14. Nick Cummins
15. Patrick Dellit
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Tom Hockings
19. Jono Jenkins
20. James Stannard
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Alfie Mafi
Last edited by Darren; 19-05-11 at 14:25. Reason: Updated
Pretty close to a full line-up, isn't it? Is Shep's injury the only change from a 1st choice XV? (Would we play Fairbrother seeing as he's off to France come July?)
Longbottom/Dunning is dependent on the opposition (and for the Brumbies I'd pick Dunning) and Charles/Whittaker are pretty even choices at hooker.
A bit surprised Shep's expected to tour NZ though - arthroscopic knee surgery isn't the easiest thing for a winger to recover from.
I watched training on Tuesday - Fairbrother and Mark Bart were sitting having a chat, didn't train. Brownie was in his gear but didn't train either. Cam did light training away from the main group. Sheehan needed a little medical attention.
As a squad they were looking good, scoring lots of tries, now let's see that on Saturday.
Chapman joins Huia Edmonds, Salesi Ma'afu and Ita Vaea in the casualty ward after last weekend's loss to the Johannesburg Lions...
Brumbies Probable team: 1. Jono Owen, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Ben Alexander, 4. Ben Hand, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. Colby Faingaa, 8. Julian Salvi, 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Tyrone Smith, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Pat McCabe.
Reserves: 16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Peter Kimlin, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Andrew Smith.
Anyone know why Mafi has not been in the starting team ? I thought he did really well at the start of the season.....
Hmmm, what sort of minor niggles would keep Brownie from playing, even as a sub?
Brownie walked into training this morning, and then wasn't seen again for the whole of the Training Session...RG said he has a few "niggles" so won't be playing!!!
Nick Cummins trained well, and did a few "Hollywood" slides between the sticks for the audience...
JOC's kicking was really off...so hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow...Bam Looked amazing...(as always![]()
)..Sharpie was revving the troops right through the session...
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Brown is obviously on Cottesloe duty this week. Their Force numbers have been running low of late.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Good for Jono to get some more match time, he may nearly have 80 minutes worth by now...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.