Six Changes To The Starting XV For Cheetahs

[NewsBot]

SIX CHANGES TO THE STARTING XV FOR CHEETAHS

Forwards Matt Hodgson and Richard Brown and backs Digby Ioane and James Hilgendorf will return to the Emirates Western Force starting XV for Friday night’s game against the Cheetahs at Subiaco Oval.

Hodgson rotates with fellow openside flanker David Pocock, who moves onto the bench, while Richard Brown will start at blindside flanker switching with David Pusey, who will also cover lock.

Ioane comes back into the run-on side at right wing, while Scott Staniforth moves to the left wing replacing the injured Cameron Shepherd.

Hilgendorf also returns to the starting team, at flyhalf, with Matt Giteau shuffling one position to inside centre and Junior Pelesasa moving to the bench.

Versatile back Haig Sare comes back into the 22 for the first time since the round 10 game against the Crusaders.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell said he was expecting a very physical encounter with the South Africans.

He said despite recent losses, the Cheetahs had been unlucky and would be dangerous particularly for the last game of a long tour.

“They’ve played some outstanding rugby on this tour and haven’t been rewarded,” Mitchell said. “It should be an exciting contest because both sides like to shift the ball.”

“They will also be buoyed by the return from suspension of Springbok fullback Bevin Fortuin, and their captain Juan Smith is ever-present.”

Mitchell said he was pleased with the Force’s defensive effort against the Brumbies but the team was still annoyed at having lost the game after getting in a position to win it.

He said the loss meant Force had to perform this Friday to keep its slim finals chances alive.

“We have no choice. We have to win to stay in the race and to do that, we have to play positive football,” he said.

“And I know for a fact that the boys have missed playing at home and are looking forward to getting back in front of that sea of blue.”

The squad:
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Scott Staniforth
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Digby Ioane
15. Drew Mitchell

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. David Pusey
19. David Pocock
20. Chris O’Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. Haig Sare

Six Changes To The Starting XV For Cheetahs

[Burgs]

I'm liking it, hopefully see plenty of Stanners coming in off the Wing to take the inside ball from Jimmy and Gits!
Junior had to go and great to see Haig back.
Expect a huge second half from Bam-Bam.

[no.8]

Not my prefered combination - but I think your right Bugs, with twin playmakers it'll give Spanner, Digger and Drew more opportunities.

It is interesting that we have this flexibility in the backrow and it appears that the 3 quality openside we are blessed with keep on topping each other with each performance.

I hope JP comes of the bench and slots into 13 - mainly because I'd like to see how he fits in with the dual playmaker set up, but also to give Ryan Cross a bit of wake call as he was under done on tour and needs to create some sparks on Friday night.

[pruc]

nearly the perfect backline cross better pull his thumb out of his.....

[Burgs]

Agreed 8, would like to see him have a shot at #13 as, prior to this year, that was his prefered position and it suits his skills and abilities far better.
By the end of the match, injuries permitting, my prefered backline would end up being:

#9 Henjak (or O'Young)
#10 Giteau
#11 Sare
#12 Staniforth
#13 Pelesasa
#14 Ioane
#15 Mitchell (or, if still enough energy, Hilgendorf)

This would give a few combinations we all are interested in, with players in more "natural" positions, to get a look at in a match environment.
I think Jimmy really deserves and has "earnt" a chance to brush up on his Utility skills as he must be an outside shot at Australia A, if not at #10 then as a much needed #15.

[no.8]

I think 15 as they are rare in Australian Rugby as a 12 was for the Force last year.........not quite as rare as 1-15 for Reds!!!

[felixnelson]

hey guys
long time no post i know....
but really
where on earth is lachlan mackay?

[pruc]

last time i heard he was named in the force team last home game. but i think they wanted him to play club rugby and ease him back in?

[allsaints]

So much for spanner getting a better deal - he gets shunted to 11! Why does our best foward get benched every 2nd week? Does he still have to mow his mums lawns every 2nd Sat?

[Darren]

11 should allow him to show off his talents better than 14..

[Burgs]

11 should allow him to show off his talents better than 14..

I know I'm just a dumb retired forward, Coach but "please explain?!"

[Shaun]

#11 is on the left wing Burgs, naturally most players are more comfortable and thus better passers to the left and therefore more ball is seen by the #11 as opposed to the #14 who must receive the pass coming from left to right.

[jazza93]

and its more likely of a skip pass on that side


like the team the backs need a big game with lots of ball running wide they need a bonus point win.

[NeoGirl]

pruc is right. nearly the perfect backline

[prop53]

sounds a good line up to me, best we have at the moment