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Emirates Western Force coach Richard Graham will be hoping a settled line-up can produce the consistent results the club has worked so hard for as they face their sternest test yet this season against an in-form Chiefs side at nib Stadium on Friday night.
An emphatic victory against reigning FxPro Super Rugby champions the Reds last week kick started a four match stretch at home in style for the West Australians and Graham said backing that up against the Chiefs is a challenge the club is relishing.
“It is important to win on a consistent basis and this sequence of home games will give us a strong opportunity to do that,” said Graham.
“The Chiefs come to us in good form. Their forward pack has developed a good work ethic under coach Dave Rennie while they also possess some individual brilliance in their backs with the likes of Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Robbie Robinson.”
“They provide a good balance of forward strength coupled with the recognisable Kiwi trait of being dangerous in unstructured play.
“Each week in this competition you are faced with varied challenges. Our preparations have been good and we’re looking forward to performing again at our best,” Graham said.
Ben Seymour his been handed his first start for the club after a strong performance last Saturday when thrust into the spotlight following an ankle injury to incumbent first five-eighth James Stannard who is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.
Seymour has worked extremely hard since joining the club last November and made the most of his 64 minutes in the playmaker role. The 21 year old is the only change to the Emirates Western Force starting XV and he will be looking to continue to build on the successful combination struck with veteran halfback Brett Sheehan who was superb against the Reds.
Seymour’s promotion has opened a space in the reserves which that has been filled by new signing Luke Holmes. Still just in his mid-20’s, Holmes has nearly 50 FxPro Super Rugby caps to his name and returns to Australia fresh from a contract in France.
The only other change is 2011 Rising Star award winner Patrick Dellit back onto the bench after recovering from injury. The hard working utility is another big body that can match up against the Chiefs backline brigade and gives Emirates Western Force coaching staff plenty of versatility should the need arise.
Nick Cummins has been given a second start at outside centre where he excelled in the win over Queensland while Graham has left the club’s dominant forward pack unchanged and will be looking to them to again impose their presence on the field and create opportunities for the backs after a five try effort from the side last time out.
“It’s a credit to the players themselves and also the medical and conditioning staff that we’ve been able to maintain a level of consistency in the forwards which in turn has translated into consistently strong performances,” Graham said.
“I thought Ben (Seymour) and Dave Harvey collaborated well after we lost James (Stannard) last week. Aided by Brett Sheehan they were able to provided clear direction for the team and will again be handed that responsibility this week.
“A lot has been said of Nick’s performance at 13 last week but it certainly didn’t surprise us given his appetite for work and his ability to be physical at the advantage line,” said Graham.
Friday’s game is the Emirates Western Force Family Day with fun activities for the kids in the entertainment precinct located behind the Bankwest Shed at the northern end of the ground. Gates open at 6.00pm.
2012 FxPro Super Rugby – Week 7
Emirates Western Force v Chiefs
Friday, 6 April 2012 at nib Stadium
Kick-off: 7.40pm (AWST)
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Toby Lynn
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Matt Hodgson
9. Brett Sheehan
10. Ben Seymour
11. Alfie Mafi
12. Winston Stanley
13. Nick Cummins
14. Samu Wara
15. David Harvey
Reserves
16. Elvis Taione
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Phoenix Battye
19. Ben McCalman
20. Josh Homes
21. Rory Sidey
22. Patrick Dellit
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to ..........." 
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Originally Posted by zimeric
