O’CONNOR SUFFERS SETBACK ON EVE OF TOUR CLASH

Friday, 8 August 2008 5:19pm

RugbyWA

Emirates Western Force lock Pat O’Connor has suffered a minor setback in his bid for a return to action for the Emirates Western Force after being ruled out of tomorrow morning’s (WST) tour-opening clash with Newcastle Falcons.

O’Connor was ruled out of the team’s first up fixture last night after suffering a groin strain at training yesterday.

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.

RugbyWA Academy lock Valeni Tia Tia has been elevated to the starting side to wear the number 5 jersey, while his place on the reserves bench has been filled by Australian Under 20’s utility Tom Murday.

The revised Emirates Western Force team sheet for the clash is as follows:

Emirates Western Force v Newcastle Falcons

Friday 8 August, 2008

Kingston Park, Newcastle, England

Kick off: 8pm (3am Saturday 9 August WST)

Emirates Western Force

1.      Pek Cowan

2.      Luke Holmes

3.      AJ Whalley

4.      Sam Wykes

5.      Valeni Tia Tia

6.      Matt Hodgson

7.      David Pocock (c)

8.      Tamaiti Horua

9.      Chris O’Young

10.  James O’Connor

11.  Haig Sare

12.  Junior Pelesasa

13.  Josh Tatupu

14.  Scott Staniforth

15.  Dane Haylett-Petty

Reserves

16.  Tai McIsaac

17.  Kieran Longbottom

18.  Tom Murday

19.  Filipe Manu

20.  Justin Turner

21.  Scott Daruda

22.  Caleb Brown

 
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