5/24/2011 Forced changes to touring squad

[WF1964]

The Emirates Western Force has been forced into a major backline reshuffle with James O’Connor, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan and Gene Fairbanks all ruled out of the club’s match against the Hurricanes on Friday evening in Palmerston North.

more here http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...8/Default.aspx

far k!

[palitu]

WHAT! oh crap!

[James]

Stannard to Flyhalf and Swanepoel to cover 9/10 from the bench?

It'll be interesting to see how it all goes. At least there will be plenty of excuses if they fail to function. Pretty unlucky to lose all three first choice 10s from one week to the next.

[brokendown gunfighter]

I guess we will have one tactic only---pick and drive

[shasta]

Deja Vu allover again. Again.

Good move to rest the niggles. Save 'em for the Reds & rebels.

Always look for the positive.

[Thequeerone]

Hmmf

[WF1964]

Now this morning's tweet about Hodgo at 10 and Sharpie at 12 makes some sense.

[WF1964]

Always look for the positive.

The chance for someone's light to shine?? Anyone's will do.

[shasta]

Hey Coach! (not you boss - the one who gets paid).

What about giving my theory that Shep might make a fair fist of 10 a shot sometime during the match?

[brokendown gunfighter]

we can only hope that it will be belting down in Palmerston north & the backs wont need to see the ball!

[travelling_gerry]

Rugby Union24 May 11 @ 03:59pm by Jon Geddes rugby union
Chris Cottee was a late call up for the Western Force for their Super 15 tour of New Zealand.

MANLY Marlins captain Chris Cottee has answered an SOS from the Western Force and has joined the Super Rugby squad for their two-game tour of New Zealand.

He flew out of Sydney on Tuesday night and linked up with his new teammates for their games against the Hurricanes this Friday night in Palmerston North, and then the game against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Cottee’s selection is a just reward for a player who has been one of the most consistent performers in the Sydney premiership over many seasons.

He was sitting at home on Monday night when he received a phone call out of the blue from Perth asking if he was interested in making the trip following injuries to the Force’s top two halfbacks Brett Sheehan and James Stannard.

How do you think the Marlins long term number nine will perform across the ditch with the Force ? Have your say below.

Another Manly halfback, Mark Swanepoel, will start against the Hurricanes and Cottee will sit on the bench this week.

“Chris has been a very good player for Manly for many years,” Marlins coach Tim Lane said.

“He always leads from the front and it is very well deserved.

“You have to take those sort of opportunities when they come up so we don’t begrudge him of it, that’s for sure.”

And Lane said this chance could lead to something else down the track.

“We have to put his interests before ours, that’s for sure,” Lane said.

Cottee will miss this Saturday’s game against Southern Districts at Forshaw Rugby Park and the big clash the following week with defending premiers Sydney University at Manly Oval.

But while Manly have lost Cottee, they will get a player back from the Force for the next fortnight.

Dynamic backrower Tevita Metuisela has not made the trip across the Tasman and will be available for the Marlins.

The 107kg forward caused some real damage in the Shute Shield last season and those performances won him a start with the Force this year.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au...-kiwi-matches/

[mudskipper]

The Emirates Western Force has been forced into a major backline reshuffle with James O’Connor, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan and Gene Fairbanks all ruled out of the club’s match against the Hurricanes on Friday evening in Palmerston North.

more here http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...8/Default.aspx

far k!

We'll we the brumbies had to settle for a draw but jeez we won in the causality ward... for once.

[KenyaQuin]

I used to be a decent No 10..

[James]

Cottee is a pretty good kicker isn't he? I think he kicks for Manly.

Apart from Shep, is anyone else a reliable kicker?

[oxleymoron]

Cottee is a pretty good kicker isn't he? I think he kicks for Manly.

Apart from Shep, is anyone else a reliable kicker?

Dunning

Stannard also kicked most of the time in the 7s. Don't know about his accuracy though.