Force v Waratahs: Teams
Willie Ripia will make his long-awaited debut when the Western Force entertain the Waratahs.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 08/04/11 9:00am
Willie Ripia will make his long-awaited debut when the Western Force entertain the Waratahs.
Ripia, who moved to Perth in the off-season from the Hurricanes, has been sidelined for the opening six games with a niggling foot injury.
However he has been passed fit to start, with James O'Connor moving to full-back and Cameron Shepherd and David Smith staring on the wings.
"It is good to have Willie available for selection. It has been a frustrating time for him on the sidelines but he has trained with the team for the last two weeks and I feel that he is now ready to contribute," Force coach Richard Graham told the club's official site.
"Willie is a specialist 10, while James has performed exceptionally well for us in that role I felt in terms of balance of the side this is the best thing for the team."
The Force have also named Jono Jenkins in the pack, with the former Sevens star replacing the injured Matt Hodgson.
Fresh
Kane Douglas and Pat McCutcheon have been named in the Waratahs team for the trip to Perth.
McCutcheon starts in the back row ahead of injured skipper Phil Waugh, with Douglas replacing Pat O'Connor in the second row.
On the bench, Al Baxter returns from a thumb injury while he is joined by Chris Alcock.
Head coach Chris Hickey said: "We've worked hard to build our depth and we're confident everyone in the match day squad is ready to go.
"Kane Douglas will be fresh after a week off and Pat McCutcheon performed well when Phil [Waugh] was out a couple of weeks ago."
Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 David Smith, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (capt), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Pat Dellit.
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Pat McCutcheon, 6 Ben Mowen, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Chris Alcock, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Daniel Halangahu.
