PERTH'S GOLD CLASS

[RugbyWA]

Thursday, 3 June 2010 2:45pm
RugbyWA

Western Australia’s best local rugby talent has been selected in the prestigious Perth XV squad which will represent the state against South Australia and Victoria in October 2010.

Coached by Wanneroo first grade mentor Elwee Prinsloo, an initial 27 man squad has been selected but will be narrowed down to 23 before the tournament. The squad has a good spread of players from throughout the KWIK Premier Grade with Nedlands (8), Cottesloe (6) and Paymyra (4) leading the way.

RugbyWA Chairman and former State Captain, Geoff Stooke OAM, said the Perth XV is an important part of the rugby pathway established in Western Australia. The team has a long history and proud record against Australian and international opposition and Mr Stooke said he was delighted to see the side back in action following three year break.

“To reintroduce this side and have something in which WA community rugby players can aspire is very important,” said Mr Stooke.

“This is a great opportunity for our local players that are not part of the professional set-up at the Emirates Western Force to take their rugby to the next level.

“The side has a proud history and in the past we were fortunate enough to be playing against provincial teams and visiting international teams including the All Blacks, England, Wales and Ireland.

“Time has moved on and we have a professional side in WA now. Local rugby players can look to the Emirates Western Force to further their career but there is still a place for this type of representative side.

“I’m sure they’ll be very competitive and I’m looking forward to seeing them take the field,” Mr Stooke said.

The squad will come together to play for the first time on Saturday, 12 June against the RugbyWA Academy side at McGillivray Oval at 3.00pm. Players will be looking to impress in this hit out while also continuing to press their claim during the KWIK Premier Grade competition.

RugbyWA Board Member and Emirates Western Force inaugural player, John Welborn, said the Perth XV side was a wonderful opportunity to showcase local rugby talent. Welborn represented Western Australia from 1989 to 1995 and believes it helped in his elevation to the Wallabies.

“I was immensely proud to represent WA in rugby union,” Welborn said.

“You were chosen from the Premier grades of Western Australia and if you were selected as a second rower it meant you were the best second rower in the state, that was a great honour.

“Playing for WA was a very important rung in the representative ladder and allowed me the opportunity to play representative rugby for my state and ultimately for Australia,” said Welborn.
PERTH XV Squad CLUB PERTH XV Squad CLUB
BAILEY, DAN Nedlands MULI, TUKIA Nedlands
CLOETE, DAVE Cottesloe NANKERVIS, SHAUN Cottesloe
CROPPER, JARED Cottesloe O'BRIEN, MATT Wests Subiaco
DENTON, MIKE Nedlands PALELEI, TUAEFE Wanneroo
DOUGALL, JAMES Rockingham PRETORIUS, JUAN Nedlands
DRURY, ELLIOTT University RARASEA, SAM Cottesloe
EGAN, JOE Nedlands RICHIE, JOE Nedlands
HAMILTON, LANCE Perth-Bayswater ROBERTS, NATHAN Nedlands
HODSON, RYAN Cottesloe SAUER, CALLUM Nedlands
KANIVALU, ANARE Palmyra SMITH, JEREMY University
LOLOHEA, FELETI Palmyra STRINGER, KEIRAN Cottesloe
MATUATU, AMMON Wanneroo TE KAHU, JURRELL Palmyra
McCLAREN, DALLAS Palmyra VINEY, OLI Wanneroo
MILES, CHRIS Wests Subiaco

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[Bails]

Just wondering how come no Soaks players selected?

[pieter blackie]

Just wondering how come no Soaks players selected?

It is not based a quota system you only get selected if you are good enough.

---------- Post added at 21:40 ---------- Previous post was at 21:37 ----------

I am surprised to see Jurrell in the mix. He is a good player but his loyalty and dedication is shocking