Pelesasa and MacKay return for South Africa tour

Powerful centre Junior Pelesasa and playmaker Lachlan MacKay have been included in the 26 man squad for the Western Force’s three match tour of South Africa.

The 25 year old Pelesasa returns to the team after suffering what was thought to be a season-ending fracture to his right ankle in the match against the Hurricanes on February 18.

The 23 year old MacKay damaged knee ligaments in the team’s Tooheys New Super 14 debut against the Brumbies on February 10, and was also believed to be sidelined for the season.

Celebrations at the quicker than expected recovery of the two backs have been tempered by the news that Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon will miss the tour, with neck surgery (relating to nerve irritation) likely early next week.

Coming into the squad for Cannon is 22 year old hooker Luke Holmes, who has yet to make his debut for the Western Force.

Flyhalf Scott Daruda will also miss the tour after damaging his left shoulder in last night’s game against the Crusaders.

Joining the squad for the first time is flanker David Pocock, a member of the Australian U19 team, which – this morning – beat New Zealand in the final of the U19 World Championship in Dubai.

Pocock will fly to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates.

Western Force head coach John Mitchell said he and the team were looking forward to travelling to “rugby-mad” South Africa for the final three games of the season.

He said the games against the Cats in Johannesburg, the Cheetahs in Kimberley and the Sharks in Durban were contests the Western Force could win.

“It will also be a great learning experience for the younger members of our team and will help develop our depth,” he said.

Mitchell said he was delighted at the return of Pelesasa and MacKay, both of whom were most likely to play in the second and third games.

“Unfortunately, Brendan Cannon won’t be travelling but it’s in the interests of his longer term playing future that he gets his nerve injury dealt with now,” he said.

The touring squad is: 1.Gareth Hardy 2. Tai McIsaac 3. Angus Scott 4. Pat O’Connor 5. Nathan Sharpe 6. David Pusey 7. Matt Hodgson 8. Scott Fava 9. Matt Henjak 10. Brock James 11. Digby Ioane 12. Scott Staniforth 13. Josh Graham 14. Haig Sare 15. Cameron Shepherd 16. Luke Holmes 17. David Te Moana 18. David Fitter 19. Luke Doherty 20. Tim Davidson 21. Chris O’Young 22. Tajhon Mailata 23. David Pocock 24. John Welborn 25. Junior Pelesasa 26. Lachlan MacKay.

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Daruda (shoulder), Cannon (neck), James Hilgendorf (eye socket double fracture), Rudi Vedelago (broken leg), Richard Brown (ankle sprain), AJ Whalley (thumb ligaments), Gavin DeBartolo (ankle sprain).