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From their website:
The Western Force has been forced into a major backline reshuffle with James O’Connor, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan and Gene Fairbanks all ruled out of the club’s match against the Hurricanes on Friday evening in Palmerston North.
O’Connor has had several niggles over the past month and after consulting with club medical staff and a specialist, Coach Richard Graham has decided to rest the youngster for a week. He will remain in Perth to be treated.
Flyhalf Willie Ripia has succumbed to a calf problem that has been plaguing him for some time while Sheehan and Fairbanks both suffered muscle strains during the club’s match against the Brumbies.
All four players will be monitored to determine their availability should any of the current touring party come under a fitness cloud ahead of the second leg of the tour against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
In some positive news, the club’s all-time leading try scorer, Cameron Shepherd, returns to action while Mitch Inman has also been included.
Up front Graham has been able to maintain the majority of his forward pack with former Hurricanes prop Tim Fairbrother coming into the squad in place of Pek Cowan who was ruled out after sustaining a broken cheekbone in last weekend’s match against the Brumbies.
The Perth side has also added further depth to the front row by drafting in exciting young loosehead prop Tetera Faulkner on a short term injury replacement deal. Faulkner recently signed a contract to join the Emirates Western Force next season and has been a standout in the NSW 1st Grade competition for Southern Districts.
Also joining the tour is Manly Marlins skipper Chris Cottee. The 29 year old has been one of the most consistent performers in the Shute Shield for a number of years and will add experience at scrumhalf.
“Obviously losing several quality performers in the backline, in particularly from halfback, isn’t ideal but you play the hand you’re dealt and we’ll continue to prepare well for a big game against the Hurricanes on Friday night,” Graham said.
“Nothing changes in terms of our expectations, we go into this game with the intent to perform to our best and get a positive result.”
Emirates Western Force Touring Squad
Forwards: Richard Brown, Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Tetera Faulkner*, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (Captain), Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes
Backs: Chris Cottee*, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Mitch Inman, Alfie Mafi, Rory Sidey, David Smith, Cameron Shepherd, James Stannard, Mark Swanepoel
*New Players
Profile: Tetera Faulkner
Position: Prop
DOB: 26/07/1988
Height: 184cm
Weight: 114kg
Clubs: Waratahs Academy, Brumbies Academy, Southern Districts (NSW 1st Grade)
Honours: Australian Schoolboys, Australian U19, Australian U20
Profile: Chris Cottee
Position: Scrumhalf
DOB: 15/9/1981
Height: 173cm
Weight: 81kg
Clubs: Manly Marlins (NSW 1st Grade)
The Western Force has been forced into a major backline reshuffle with James O’Connor, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan and Gene Fairbanks all ruled out of the club’s match against the Hurricanes on Friday evening in Palmerston North.
O’Connor has had several niggles over the past month and after consulting with club medical staff and a specialist, Coach Richard Graham has decided to rest the youngster for a week. He will remain in Perth to be treated.
Flyhalf Willie Ripia has succumbed to a calf problem that has been plaguing him for some time while Sheehan and Fairbanks both suffered muscle strains during the club’s match against the Brumbies.
All four players will be monitored to determine their availability should any of the current touring party come under a fitness cloud ahead of the second leg of the tour against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
In some positive news, the club’s all-time leading try scorer, Cameron Shepherd, returns to action while Mitch Inman has also been included.
Up front Graham has been able to maintain the majority of his forward pack with former Hurricanes prop Tim Fairbrother coming into the squad in place of Pek Cowan who was ruled out after sustaining a broken cheekbone in last weekend’s match against the Brumbies.
The Perth side has also added further depth to the front row by drafting in exciting young loosehead prop Tetera Faulkner on a short term injury replacement deal. Faulkner recently signed a contract to join the Emirates Western Force next season and has been a standout in the NSW 1st Grade competition for Southern Districts.
Also joining the tour is Manly Marlins skipper Chris Cottee. The 29 year old has been one of the most consistent performers in the Shute Shield for a number of years and will add experience at scrumhalf.
“Obviously losing several quality performers in the backline, in particularly from halfback, isn’t ideal but you play the hand you’re dealt and we’ll continue to prepare well for a big game against the Hurricanes on Friday night,” Graham said.
“Nothing changes in terms of our expectations, we go into this game with the intent to perform to our best and get a positive result.”
Emirates Western Force Touring Squad
Forwards: Richard Brown, Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Tetera Faulkner*, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (Captain), Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes
Backs: Chris Cottee*, Nick Cummins, Patrick Dellit, Mitch Inman, Alfie Mafi, Rory Sidey, David Smith, Cameron Shepherd, James Stannard, Mark Swanepoel
*New Players
Profile: Tetera Faulkner
Position: Prop
DOB: 26/07/1988
Height: 184cm
Weight: 114kg
Clubs: Waratahs Academy, Brumbies Academy, Southern Districts (NSW 1st Grade)
Honours: Australian Schoolboys, Australian U19, Australian U20
Profile: Chris Cottee
Position: Scrumhalf
DOB: 15/9/1981
Height: 173cm
Weight: 81kg
Clubs: Manly Marlins (NSW 1st Grade)
