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Force out to get Reds

Force out to get Reds

06/09/2011 05:11:37 AM

Western Force coach Richard Graham says his side are desperate to avenge their heartbreaking early-season loss to the Queensland Reds when the two sides meet in Perth on Saturday.

The Force led for most of the match when the two sides met in Brisbane in week one, but a pair of late tries saw the Reds earn a one-point win.

Although the Force are out of finals contention and the Reds will be trying to consolidate their spot at the top of the table, Graham said his side, which will be boosted by the return of James O'Connor, was hungry for revenge.

"There's no doubt it's part of the motivation, because we're disappointed as a group with that result," he said.

"But a lot has changed since then - obviously they've gone on to top the table and we've had quite a frustrating season."

"But we've had this focus for the last couple of weeks to worry about ourselves because we've got a lot to play for and we want to finish the season well. As a group, we're getting better."

The Reds, who suffered a shock loss to the Brumbies last weekend, come into the match without several key players, but Graham said that was no reason to underestimate the competition leaders.

"They've got their forward pack and their nine and 10 in place and that's significant in terms of their preparation," he said.

"You have a look at the backline they will put out, they're guys that have played for them effectively every week of the season. They'll come here with an outstanding team."

O'Connor is back in the team following a two-week layoff and will start at full-back, while Brett Sheehan replaces Mark Swanepoel at scrum-half.

The Perth side will be without Cameron Shepherd and Pek Cowan, while five-eighth Willie Ripia wasn't able to overcome ongoing leg issues and was left out of the 22.

Ripia, a former New Zealand under-21 representative who is in the first year of a two-year contract, has failed to live up to expectations this season, but Graham said he never fully recovered from the foot injury he suffered pre-season.

"It's been a tough season for Willie, through injury. I put a lot of that down to myself and getting him back out onto the field," Graham said.

"He's played week to week without training and he's just not fit."

Ripia's absence has allowed makeshift fly-half James Stannard to remain in the role, which Graham said he deserved following an impressive performance in the team's victory against the Highlanders last week.

Force team: 15. James O'Connor, 14. Nick Cummins, 13. Patrick Dellit, 12. Rory Sidey, 11. David Smith, 10. James Stannard, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Richard Brown, 7. David Pocock, 6. Matt Hodgson, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Nathan Charles, 1. Kieran Longbottom. Reserves: 16. Ben Whittaker, 17. Tim Fairbrother, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Ben McCalman, 20. Mark Swanepoel, 21. Mitch Inman, 22. Alfie Mafi

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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