Junior Pelesasa: out with a broken hand (SMP Images)Five players have been introduced to the ET Perth Spirit squad for the first time after a glut of injuries ahead of this Saturday’s clash against the East Coast Aces at Members Equity Stadium.
Local club players Kane Allen and Todd Feather, along with eastern states-based backs Edward Jenkins, Luke McClean and Jackson Mullane come into the 22 for the ET Perth Spirit’s last scheduled home game.
Their late inclusions follow injuries to James Hilgendorf (hamstring), Lachlan MacKay (groin), Junior Pelesasa (hand), Ratu Siganiyavi (hamstring), Nick Cummins (thigh), Haig Sare (groin) and Cameron Shepherd’s call-up to the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.
Feather, from the Cottesloe club, moves straight into inside centre, while Allen, who plays for Wests Subiaco, will start on the bench.
Jenkins, from Sydney University, will play right wing while McClean, from the Souths Magpies in Brisbane, will come in for Shepherd at fullback. Mullane, from the Southern Districts club in Sydney, is amongst the reserves.
In other changes, Gareth Hardy comes into the starting XV at loose head prop, with AJ Whalley switching to the tight head.
Scott Fardy will start ahead of Luke Doherty at blindside flanker.
Luke Holmes will be the starting hooker, with Tai McIsaac shifting to the bench, and Scott Daruda will shuffle in to flyhalf.
Also unavailable due to injury are forwards David Pocock (knee), Pek Cowan (ankle) and Troy Takiari (groin).
ET Perth Spirit Head Coach John Mulvihill said the growing injury list was disappointing but it would give others an opportunity to impress and help continue the team’s momentum of recent weeks.
He said he expected the team to focus on the positives and improvements of the past two performances in Saturday’s clash.
“The Aces beat the Vikings, and we know Quade Cooper and Ben Lucas can play so they are not to be underestimated,” he said
“It’s good to be back in the four but it is important we take one game at a time if we are to make the finals.”
The squad is
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Luke Holmes
3. AJ Whalley
4. Tom Hockings
5. Sitaleki Timani
6. Scott Fardy
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Scott Daruda
11. Dan Bailey
12. Todd Feather
13. Ryan Cross
14. Edward Jenkins
15. Luke McClean
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Luke Doherty
19. Will Brock
20. James Stannard
21. Kane Allen
22. Jackson Mullane
Thursday, September 13, 2007 1:40pm
RugbyWA
