Perth Spirit vs East Coast Aces - Match Preview
Perth Spirit vs East Coast Aces - Match Preview
Venue & time
Members Equity Stadium, Saturday Sept 15, (WA) (AEST)
Head to head
Debut clash
Team changes
Perth has made wholesale changes to its starting line-up due to a spate of injuries and Cameron Shepherd’s call-up to the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad. Flyhalf James Hilgendorf (hamstring), utility back Lachlan MacKay (groin), centre Junior Pelesasa (hand), utility Ratu Siganiyavi (hamstring), and wingers Nick Cummins (thigh) and Haig Sare (groin) are all sidelined. Luke McLean starts at fullback for Shepherd, Scott Daruda takes over the pivot role, while Todd Feather forms a new centre partnership with Ryan Cross, who has moved in from the wing. Edward Jenkins makes his Mazda ARC debut on the wing with Kane Allen and Jackson Mullane winning bench spots. In other changes, Gareth Hardy comes into the starting XV at loose-head prop, with AJ Whalley switching to the tight head. Scott Fardy starts ahead of Luke Doherty at blindside flanker, while Luke Holmes rotates with Tai McIsaac at hooker.
Star fullback Andrew Walker is a late withdrawal from the Aces line-up with a foot injury. Brett Stapleton takes over on the wing with Marshall Milroy installed as custodian. Charlie Fetoai starts ahead of Watai Walker at outside centre, lock Robert Simmons replaces the injured Luke Caughley in the second row, while Sam Batty keeps his place at scrumhalf with Nic Berry still out with a minor knee injury. Dan Ese earns a bench spot.
Form
After falling apart when in control of the match against the Fleet, Perth has been extremely disciplined in its last two starts and has out-muscled the Rays and Rebels respectively for important wins. However, it needs to take advantage of the good opportunities being created in attack and start racking up some bonus-points.
The Aces caused a huge upset when they stormed home to pip the Vikings on the bell a fortnight ago and then put a competitive effort against the high-flying Rams last start before losing 44-20. They can rack up the points but need to stop leaking tries, especially in the first half of games.
Who's hot
Spirit skipper Matt Henjak has been inspirational at scrumhalf while Shepherd has been impressive and deserves his ticket to France. Prop AJ Whalley and No.8 Scott Fava are in good form while Cross continues to look dangerous in the backline.
Aces flyhalf Ben Lucas showed that Beale is not the only star on the horizon with an impressive display last week. Flanker AJ Gilbert, hooker Jade Ingham and skipper Ben Mowen have been dynamic in the forwards while fullback Andrew Walker has been in a purple patch and his late withdrawal with leave a huge hole in the Aces attack.
Teams
Perth Spirit
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 McLean
16. Tai McIsaac
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Luke Doherty
19. Will Brock
20. James Stannard
21. Kane Allen
22. Jackson Mullane
East Coast Aces
1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Jade Ingham,
3. Rodney Blake,
4. Will Munsie,
5. Rob Simmons,
6. Josh Afu,
7. AJ Gilbert,
8. Ben Mowen (c),
9. Sam Batty,
10. Ben Lucas,
11. Brett Stapleton,
12. Quade Cooper,
13. Charlie Fetoai,
14. Henari Veratau,
15. Marshall Milroy.
16. Joe Tufuga,
17. Lloyd Campbell-McBride,
18. James Kriukelis,
19. Dan Ese,
20. Curtis Franks,
21. Waitai Walker,
22. John Dart.
