1 Attachment(s)
Award Winning Rookie Graduates
TWF 2011 Rookie of the year Patrick Dellit will shake off his rookie tag and make his return to Super Rugby this weekend after being selected in the run-on side to tackle the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Dellit played with the Emirates Western Force A team last weekend and was one of the standout performers as he put some much needed game time into his legs after overcoming an injury niggle late in pre-season.
The hard hitting back brings plenty of added physical presence to the West Australian side and will take the 13 jersey with midfield partner Winston Stanley moving to inside centre.
Dellit’s return is the only change to the starting side with Rory Sidey moving to the reserves while Ben Whittaker has been included on the substitute’s bench. Going out of the 22 is young halfback Justin Turner who suffered a slight hamstring strain as a result of being caught awkwardly in a breakdown in the opening round against the Brumbies.
Coach Richard Graham said his side was looking forward to the challenge of tackling the reigning champions and wouldn’t be daunted by the occasion as the Reds play in front of their home fans at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since winning the championship there last season.
“The Reds are on a high after their efforts in 2011 and then a last second win to start the new campaign, however we don’t shy away from these sorts of occasions and welcome the challenge,” Graham said.
“We’ve got a strong rivalry with Queensland and the nature of derby matches means they are always played with a lot of intensity. We enjoy going to Brisbane and being part of that rivalry and have confidence in our preparations.
“Our focus this week has been on us, both our collective efforts as well as that of an individual’s involvement and contribution to a quality performance.
“There are strong motivations for both sides to do well and I think that will translate into a high quality rugby match,” Graham said.
Loose forward Richard Brown, lock Sam Wykes and outside back Cameron Shepherd are all expected to come back into contention for the club’s first home game next weekend while young backrower Lachlan McCaffrey and flyhalf Kyle Godwin are progressing well and were just a few days shy of being available against the Reds.
“Having competition for places in the team is key to getting the best out of the group and with the likes of Paddy and others coming back into the frame for selection over the next few weeks it will certainly assist in creating that competition,” said Graham.
Queensland Reds v Emirates Western Force
Saturday, 3 March 2012 at Suncorp Stadium
Kick-off 4.40pm Perth time
1. Pek Cowan
2. Nathan Charles
3. Salesi Ma'afu
4. Toby Lynn
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Matt Hodgson
7. David Pocock (Captain)
8. Ben McCalman
9. Brett Sheehan
10. James Stannard
11. Napolioni Nalaga
12. Winston Stanley
13. Patrick Dellit
14. Nick Cummins
15. Alfie Mafi
Reserves
16. Ben Whittaker
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Phoenix Battye
19. Angus Cottrell
20. Ben Seymour
21. Rory Sidey
22. Sam Wara
Force team to take on the Reds Round 2
[edit by Coach: Threads merged so this is now duplicated - sorry GAFFA]
1.Pek Cowan,
2.Nathan Charles
3.Salesi Ma'afu
4.Toby Lynn
5.Nathan Sharpe
6.Matt Hodgson
7.David Pocock (Captain)
8.Ben McCalman
9.Brett Sheehan
10.James Stannard
11.Napolioni Nalaga
12.Winston Stanley
13.Patrick Dellit
14.Nick Cummins
15.Alfie Mafi
(Reserves)
16.Ben Whittaker
17.Kieran Longbottom
18.Phoenix Battye
19.Angus Cottrell
20.Ben Seymour
21.Rory Sidey
22.Sam Wara
Reds announce five changes to starting XV
Queensland Reds and Wallabies star Radike Samo has been selected at number-eight as one of five positional changes made to the starting XV for Saturday’s FxPro Super Rugby home opener against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium (kickoff 4:40pm Perth time).
Samo joins hooker Albert Anae and inside-centre Jono Lance as the new faces to commence the match with the Scott Higginbotham (gluteus muscle) and Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) to miss the encounter through injury after starring in last Saturday’s 25-21 win over the NSW Waratahs.
Faingaa will miss Saturday’s contest after suffering a slight hamstring strain against the Waratahs, while Higginbotham, who celebrated his 50th cap for Queensland and in Super Rugby in dynamic fashion last week, hasn’t been considered for selection after straining his gluteus muscle during Tuesday's training session at Ballymore.
Faingaa and Higginbotham will continue recuperating from minor injury concerns and have been afforded the opportunity at this early stage of the season to continue their recovery from the sideline to ensure they return to peak fitness.
Hooker James Hanson has been chosen on the bench after overcoming an ankle injury he sustained in the final minute of the Waratahs success.
The remaining two changes to the starting lineup see Jake Schatz shift from number-eight to blindside flanker and Ben Tapuai wearing the number 13 jersey after last week being chosen at inside-centre.
The Reds bench also has a further two new faces with backrower Eddie Quirk and winger Rod Davies in line to make their first FxPro Super Rugby appearance of 2012.
Davies (hamstring) has overcome a preseason injury while Quirk has been rewarded for his efforts in captaining Queensland A to a 36-24 victory over the Fiji Warriors on Monday night.
“There are a few changes but we are lucky in that we have strong depth and aren’t forced to rush Anthony or Scott back before they are ready,” coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“Their injuries aren’t severe and won’t impact the team in the long-term if they are managed correctly, so we have taken this opportunity at an early stage of our campaign to get them 100 percent right. We don't want a one week injury turning into a one month injury.
“The reality is injuries are part of any campaign and while we lose a couple of players we also get a Wallaby back in Rod Davies.
“Jono has proven he is more than capable of stepping up and will feel more at home on Saturday in the centres after showing us he can excel anywhere following his cameo at fullback in the Super Rugby Finals last year.
“Albert is one of a number of young players that have been impressing coaches during the preseason and he now has an opportunity to show us what he’s got.”
Queensland Reds team
1. Ben Daley
2. Albert Anae
3. James Slipper
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Jake Schatz
7. Beau Robinson
8. Radike Samo
9. Will Genia (vc)
10. Mike Harris
11. Digby Ioane
12. Jono Lance
13. Ben Tapuai
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Luke Morahan
Reserves
16. James Hanson
17. Greg Holmes
18. Van Humphries
19. Liam Gill
20. Eddie Quirk
21. Ben Lucas
22. Rod Davies