Mitchell has Forceful mix
Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:02
Western Force coach John Mitchell has named a powerful team to play Guinness Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons on Friday, in the first of six matches on a development tour of England.
The side, captained by 20-year-old flank David Pocock, includes two Test rugby veterans and a wealth of experienced Super 14 campaigners.
Dual World Cup back Scott Staniforth will play on the right wing, while eight-Test Wallaby Tai McIsaac has been listed on the replacement bench.
The Friday clash kicks off a torrid five-week tour across England, where the Western Australian side will clash with four top-flight English Premiership teams and two regional academy sides.
Mitchell has opted for a mix of youth and experience for the tour opener, highlighted by the halfbacks - where recently-turned 18-year-old James O'Connor (No.10) has been paired with 29-capped scrumhalf Chris O'Young.
O'Connor will assume the chief playmaker role for the first time in Western Force colours, while his namesake, Pat, makes his long-awaited return at lock.
After a standout maiden Super 14 campaign in 2006, Pat O'Connor will don the ocean blue jersey for the first time since recovering from back-to-back knee reconstructions.
Mitchell has also named Australia A representatives Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson and Scott Daruda, plus Australian Under-20 stars Pocock, Sam Wykes and Dane Haylett-Petty in a strong looking 22.
Daruda has been named as one of three reserve backs, alongside new Western Force recruit Caleb Brown and recently-named Australian Schoolboys scrumhalf Justin Turner.
Australian Sevens star Brown signed a two-year deal with the franchise in June after three seasons with the Reds.
Mitchell said the aim of the tour is to assess different combinations and to provide an opportunity for younger squad members to experience high quality rugby.
"We've gone for a very good mix of youth and experience and it will be interesting to see how the different combinations work," he said.
"We will certainly look to mix our squad around during the tour to provide the whole squad with some quality time on the field."
"With that said we have named players in positions they are competing for ahead of our next Super 14 season. We aren't just plugging gaps with different players, so it will be interesting to see which players emerge on this tour."
Mitchell said it will be important for some of his squad members to get some competitive rugby under their belts after lengthy injury lay-offs.
"I'm excited for guys like Pat [O'Connor] and Junior [Pelesasa], who have had long term injuries and have fought their way back to fitness," he said.
"It will be an extremely important experience, this tour, for so many of our squad and we are looking forward to kick off this Friday night," he said.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty,
14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Josh Tatupu, 12 Junior Pelesasa, 11 Haig Sare, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Chris O'Young, 8 Tamaiti Horua, 7 David Pocock (captain), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Pat O'Connor, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 AJ Whalley, 2 Luke Holmes, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Tai McIsaac, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Valeni Tia Tia, 19 Filipe Manu, 20 Justin Turner, 21 Scott Daruda, 22 Caleb Brown.
Date: Friday, August, 8
Venue: Kingston Park, Newcastle
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 03.00 Saturday 9 August Western Australia)
