O'Connor setback for Force
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:31
Western Force lock Pat O'Connor has suffered a minor setback in his bid for a return to action for the Perth-based franchise after being ruled out of Friday's tour-opening clash with Newcastle Falcons.
O'Connor was ruled out of the team's first up fixture after suffering a groin strain at training Thursday.
The 116kg lock is expected to make a full recovery before the team's second tour outing, against Saracens in Watford next Saturday.
O'Connor was due to make his first appearance in the ocean blue jersey since undergoing successive knee reconstructions over the past two seasons.
Rugby Western Australia (RugbyWA) Academy lock Valeni Tia Tia has been elevated to the starting side to wear the No.5 jersey, while his place on the reserves bench has been filled by Australian Under-20 utility Tom Murday.
Western Force - revised: 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 Valeni Tia Tia, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 AJ Whalley, 2 Luke Holmes, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Tai McIsaac, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Murday, 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)
