Rams forced to make late changes

[travelling_gerry]

http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/r...-changes-32896

8/08/2007 2:56:40 PM


Sportal


Injury has forced the Western Sydney Rams to make changes ahead of Friday night’s Mazda Australian Rugby Championship clash with the Perth Spirit in Perth.

Outside centre Lachlan Mitchell and replacement flanker Mark Howell both pulled up lame after training prior to the team's departure for Perth on Wednesday morning and will sit out the opening round.

Mitchell's place in the starting side has been taken by Luke Johnson, while utility back Josh Weeks replaces Howell on the bench.
The inclusion of Weeks means Ben Coridas will wear the no.19 jersey after originally being named in 22.

The Rams have some early momentum after a 28-10 win over the Canberra Viking last weekend in a trial match and the presence of representative players Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Josh Holmes, Lachie Turner and Kurtley Beale will give the Sydneysiders plenty of confidence heading into Friday night's historic match.


"Enthusiasm will be one of our key weapons and with such a young team it's going to be important," said Rams head coach Brian Melrose.
"We’ve got five blokes aged 20 or under in the side, which makes the experience of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson all the more vital.

"I don't read too much into trial form but the win gave us some confidence," Melrose added.
"We've got that behind us now so it’ll be very interesting to get up against one of the top teams in the competition.

"The Spirit team is basically the Western Force minus their World Cup Wallabies.
"They're got five guys in the team who have played Test Rugby for Australia, so this will give us a good idea of where we sit."

The Rams take on Perth at Member's Equity Stadium in the opening round of the Inaugural ARC. Kickoff is set down for 7pm local time, 9pm AEST.

Western Rams team v Perth Spirit
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.Reserves: 16. Ben Roberts, 17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse, 18. Marty Wilson, 19. Ben Coridas, 20. Dave Rimmer, 21. Filipo Toala, 22. Josh Weeks




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[no.8]

No loss there. That Josh Weeks he's a speed freak...