Mitchell still rotating with a Force
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:20
Western Force coach John Mitchell is continuing his rotation policy as his team gears up for the third match on their tour of England, against Guinness Premiership outfit Saracens on Friday.
After opening the five-week tour successfully against Newcastle (a 25-15 win) and Saracens Academy (36-17), Mitchell has held firm on his squad rotation policy.
David Pocock will again captain the side, with experienced back row forward Tamaiti Horua packing in at No.8.
Horua's tour campaign was plunged into doubt when he returned to Australia for family reasons last Friday, however the 115kg forward made his return to England on Wednesday and will make a belated first appearance on the tour against the side coached by his former Brumbies mentor Eddie Jones.
A third unique centre pairing has been selected for the clash with Scott Daruda to start at inside centre alongside Josh Tatupu, while the West Australian side's leading try-scorer on tour, Junior Pelesasa, shifts to the bench.
Caleb Brown will start on the right wing, while Haig Sare returns to his customary left wing after scoring a double at outside centre in the 19-point win over Saracens Academy.
Mitchell has opted for the same front row combination of Pek Cowan, Luke Holmes and AJ Whalley, which started in the side's opening tour victory over Newcastle.
With Sam Wykes ruled out for the remainder of the tour program with a shoulder injury, Valeni Tia Tia and Pat O'Connor will have their chance to impress in the second row.
O'Connor has overcome a slight groin strain and will finally see his return to action for the Perth outfit after two injury-ravaged Super 14 seasons.
Mitchell said he has been happy with the team's early tour form.
"The players have adjusted well to the English conditions and have shown some very good signs in our two matches so far," said Mitchell.
"We've certainly fronted up for both matches with the right attitude and we'll need to do that again on Friday night."
Mitchell said he was delighted with the squad's progress.
"A few of our younger squad members have taken their chances so far and that's really pleasing. Our senior players have provided some strong leadership too which has enabled us to play some good football," he said.
"One thing we are focusing on is making the most of our attacking opportunities and that's something we hope to see improve as the tour wears on."
Injured lock Wykes will depart the tour over the weekend along with wing James Dougall, who fractured his hand in the clash with Saracens Academy. Neither player will be replaced in the squad, reducing the tour squad to 26 for the remaining matches.
Scott Staniforth will remain in England with the squad for further treatment on his injured knee.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Caleb Brown, 13 Josh Tatupu, 12 Scott
Daruda, 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 Valeni Tia Tia, 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 Junior Pelesasa, 22 Dion Berryman.
Date: Friday, August 15
Venue: Old Albanians Sports Complex, St Albans, England
Kick-off: 19.30 (18.30 GMT - 02.30, Saturday, August 16 West Australian time)
