Tornadoes v Spirit, preview
Tornadoes v Spirit, preview
22/09/2007 10:59:58 AM
Mark Hughes
Sportal
VENUE & TIME: Ballymore, Brisbane. Sunday, Sept 23, 4pm (AEST)
TEAM CHANGES: Elia Tuqiri has been handed the flyhalf role for the Tornadoes with Donovan Slade coming in at inside centre for the injured Peter Hynes (knee). In the forwards, Shon Siemonek rotates Ernest Skelton in the front row.
Spirit back Nick Cummins has recovered from a thigh injury and returns to the run-on team, starting at outside centre with Ryan Cross moving to inside centre. Skipper Matt Henjak earns a rest with James Stannard starting at scrumhalf. Tight head prop Troy Takiari rotates with AJ Whalley, while Jackson Mullane gets his starting chance on the wing.
FORM: The Tornadoes fans can take heart that their side is competing better with opposition teams and troubled the Rebels last start before the Melbourne outfit got away in the end. They may be at the bottom of the ladder but the Tornadoes can not be taken lightly, especially at Ballymore.
The Spirit demolished the Aces to the tune of 60-15 last week in Perth. Even without Cameron Shepherd, who had been called up to Wallabies duties, the Perth backline totally overwhelmed the Aces to run in nine tries to stamp them as genuine championship contenders.
WHO'S HOT: Young utility back Blair Connor continues to impress for the Tornadoes while Josh Mann-Rea and Dan Linde have been strong up front.
Ed Jenkins made a huge impact in his debut start last week with a hat-trick of tries while Scott Daruda contributed 25 points in a fantastic display at flyhalf. Flanker Richard Brown and hooker Luke Holmes have also been in eye-catching form for the Spirit.
TEAMS:
Ballymore Tornadoes
1. Shon Siemonek
2. Josh Mann-Rea
3. Ben Coutts
4. Ed O’Donoghue
5. James Horwill
6.Dan Linde
7. Tom McVerry (capt)
8. Leroy Houston
9. Will Genia
10. Elia Tuqiri
11. Blair Connor
12. Tim Sampson
13. Donovan Slade
14.Paul Doneley
15. Clinton Schifcofske
16. Geoff Abram
17. Ernest Skelton
18. Scott Higginbottom
19. Steve Miller
20. Brendan McKibbin
21. David Collis
22.Byron Roberts
Perth Spirit
1. Gareth Hardy
2. Luke Holmes
3. Troy Takiari
4. Tom Hockings
5. Sitaleki Timani
6. Scott Fardy
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. James Stannard
10. Scott Daruda
11. Jackson Mullane
12. Ryan Cross
13. Nick Cummins
14. Edward Jenkins
15. Luke McLean
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Luke Doherty
19. Will Brock
20. Matt Henjak
21. Todd Feather
22. Kane Allen
