2007 ARC Round 1.2, Spirit v Rams, Preview

Spirit v Rams, Preview

August 09, 2007 - 8:10am
Story by: Sportal

Venue & time

Members Equity Stadium, Perth. Friday, August 10, 7pm (WA) 9pm (AEST).

Head to head

Debut

Walking wounded

Spirit fullback Cameron Shepherd sustained a niggling knee injury in the finals rounds of the Super 14 which hindered any chance of him impressing for the Wallabies. There will be plenty of eyes on how he gets through this match.

Training injuries to Rams outside centre Lachlan Mitchell and replacement flanker Mark Howell saw them ruled out of this Friday night's opening round fixture. Mitchell's place in the starting side has been taken by Luke Johnson, while utility back Josh Weeks replaces Howell on the bench.

Form

Perth must go into this match as the most highly credentialed squad in the Mazda ARC with five Wallabies and 15 Western Force players in their ranks. Shepherd, Tai McIsaac, Scott Fava, Matt Henjak and Lachlan McKay have all earned Test honours.

The Rams enjoyed a solid hit out in last week's trial game with a 28-10 win over the Vikings. That opportunity to secure 80 minutes as a team will give the Sydneysiders an edge heading into this clash.

Who's hot

Spirit flanker David Pocock had a fantastic Super 14 season that saw him earn a spot in the wallabies 59-man train-on squad earlier this season. Skipper Henjak also enjoyed a return to form this year while Ryan Cross impressed in his first season in rugby.

Rams fullback Kurtley Beale was the name on everyone's lips at the beginning of this year and he showed a promise of his potential during the season while winger Lachlan Turner electrified the Super 14 when he burst onto the scene in the second-half of the season. Test prop Benn Robinson will have a point to prove after being omitted from the Wallabies World Cup squad despite playing well this season.

Teams

Perth Spirit

1.Pek Cowan,
2. Tai McIsaac,
3. AJ Whalley,
4. Tom Hockings,
5. Sitaleki Timani,
6. Scott Fava,
7. David Pocock,
8. Richard Brown,

9. Matt Henjak, (capt),
10. James Hilgendorf,
11. Ratu Siganiyavi,
12. Junior Pelesasa,
13. Ryan Cross,
14. Nick Cummins,
15. Cameron Shepherd.

16.Luke Holmes,
17.Troy Takiari,
18. Scott Fardy (Out), Kiti Fuluna (In)
19. Will Brock,
20. James Stannard,
21. Scott Daruda,
22. Lachlan MacKay.

Western Rams

1. Benn Robinson,
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (vc),
3. James Lakepa,
4. Van Humphries,
5. Ben Hand (c),
6. Gareth Palamo,
7. Hugh Perrett,
8. Tom Egan,

9. Josh Holmes,
10. Fa’atonu Fili,
11. Lachie Turner (vc),
12. Chris Siale,
13. Luke Johnson,
14. Ben Martin,
15. Kurtley Beale.

16. Ben Roberts,
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse,
18. Marty Wilson,
19. Ben Coridas,
20. Dave Rimmer,
21. Filipo Toala,
22. Josh Weeks.

Halftime Spirit 15-3

Teams -

late change for the home side, with Scott Fardy ruled out through injury and Kiti Fuluna coming onto the reserves bench.

ET Perth Spirit: 1. Pek Cowan 2. Tai McIsaac (vc) 3. AJ Whalley 4 Tom Hockings 5. Sitaleki Timani 6. Scott Fava 7. David Pocock 8. Richard Brown 9. Matt Henjak (c) 10. Jimmy Hilgendorf 11. Ratu Siganiyavi 12. Junior Pelesasa 13. Ryan Cross 14. Nick Cummins 15. Cam Shepherd 16. Luke Holmes 17. Troy Takiari 18. Kiti Fuluna 19. Will Brock 20. James Stannard 21. Scott Daruda 22. Lachlan MacKay

Western Sydney Rams: 1. Benn Robinson 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (vc) 3. James Lakepa 4. Van Humphries 5. Ben Hand (c) 6. Gareth Palamo 7. Hugh Perret 8. Tom Egan 9. Josh Holmes 10. Fa'atonu Fili 11. Lachlan Turner (vc) 12. Chris Siale 13. Luke Johnson 14. Ben Martin 15. Kurtley Beale 16. Ben Martin 17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse 18. Marty Wilson 19. Ben Coridas 20. Dave Rimmer 21. Filipo Toala 22. Josh Weeks