At least five players will make their Western Force debuts in Friday night’s Super 14 clash with the Brumbies in Perth.
One-Test Wallaby Mark Bartholomeusz will take up the five-eighth role following the season-ending injury to Andre Pretorius, while scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, inside centre Sam Harris and props Matt Dunning and Nic Henderson will also don Force colours for the first time in Super 14 competition after being named in the starting XV.
Wallabies centre Ryan Cross has been named in the run-on side despite struggling to overcome an abdominal injury in recent weeks.
Young gun James O’Connor will play at fullback while prop Pek Cowan will start at hooker after his impressive display there in the Force’s trial win over Queensland last week.
Wingers Haig Sare (Achilles tendon) and Nick Cummins (foot) couldn’t be considered due to injury.
Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown will form a formidable back row while Sam Wykes will partner Nathan Sharpe at lock.
Star Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau has been named by the Brumbies but is no certainty to play due to a lingering quad complaint.
Force: James O’Connor, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ryan Cross, Sam Harris, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Bartholomeusz, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Pek Cowan, Nic Henderson. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Tim Fairbrother, Richard Stanford, Ben McCalman, Chris O’Young, Mitchell Inman, Josh Tatupu.
Brumbies: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo, Matt Giteau/Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles (capt), George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Justin Harrison, Mark Chisholm, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Maafu, Ben Hand, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Alfi Mafi, Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Go_the_Wannabe's
Guest
Sheehan's preference at the Reds trial was to kick to the box far too often (must have been coaches orders!). Other than that, he was man of the match for mine. Bartholomeusz had more than a handy game at fly half. If he can replicate that performance all year, the Force will be more than happy. Cross is in the Wallabies squad so he can't really be a mug now can he? JOC got MoM against Reds, so he got more than his share of the ball last week from a 'dodgy' backline. Yes, the battle of the backrows should be the highlight and where the game will be won or lost. I'll let you know how they go after Friday.
Davo
Guest
There's some problems in that Force backline.....Sheehan's preference to run not pass. Bartholemeusz, an outside back at 5/8.Sam Harris at IC and Cross and his diagonal running. James O-Conner better try and run back any kicks he may field because he wont see much ball on the end of this backline. Lealiifano at IC is an interesting move given he is a similar size and style to Beale. Brumbies on paper could win this 20 or more. But by God, it'll be a good battle of the backrows. Hodgson is not all that rated but these are easily two of the best 6,7,8 combos in the competition.