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Spirit ready to stretch Brisbane

A Western Force-loaded Perth Spirit will have few excuses if they lose tomorrow's NRC clash with Brisbane City at McGillivray Oval.

Fresh from notching a 28-23 win over the Canberra Vikings last weekend, the Spirit will unveil a line-up where all but one player has Super Rugby experience.

Brisbane have named a squad littered with Queensland Reds players, including former Wallabies captain James Horwill, but Spirit coach Kevin Foote said the spotlight would be on his men.

"There is always going to be a little bit of pressure when you run out such a strong team, but there's also a lot of excitement," Foote said.

"The NRC is pretty quick and with our fitness levels and how we generally go about our business, that may suit us.

"But, as much as people think it is all about running rugby, it is also a lot about mauling and set piece. Get your basics right and you'll be in a good position.

"The NRC is attack orientated, there's a big focus on that, so any team that is prepared to put in some good structural defence could get a lot of reward."

Brisbane coach Nick Stiles, a former Force assistant coach, said he expected the Spirit to play a Force-style game, but Foote has a few ideas of his own.

·As expected, former Wallaby James O'Connor and code- hopper Karmichael Hunt were last night announced as Reds signings for next season.