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PERTH SPIRIT MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 10 September 2015
COTTRELL TO LEAD SPIRIT AGAINST VIKINGS
Hard running back rower Angus Cottrell, will captain the Perth Spirit for the first time this year in the round four clash against the UC Canberra Vikings at McGillivray Oval on Saturday, 12 September. The Perth based team is still trying for their first win of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) season and have their work cut out for them, with the Vikings sitting second on the table after back-to-back wins.
Spirit head coach Tai McIsaac, continues to make changes to the side, trying to find the right combinations with 10 changes to the team that lost to the Sydney Stars last Saturday.
The front row has been bolstered with the return of in-form loosehead Francois van Wyk, while coming into tighthead will be Wallaby prop Tetera Faulkner for his second game of the season.
Cottesloe product Adrian Hall has been rewarded for his good form coming off the bench last week, with a starting spot and he’ll be pairing up with fellow Gull Ross Haylett-Petty.
Future Force member Kane Koteka makes his comeback from a quad strain and will play alongside Associate’s Al Rovira and captain Angus Cottrell in the back row.
Luke Burton makes his long awaited return in the 10 jersey after badly breaking his nose in the first five minutes of the round one clash against Brisbane City.
Associates outside centre Ammon Matuauto, will make his second start for the year at 13 and will be keen to replicate his last minute game winning try from round one in last years competition.
Brad Lacey and Joondalup’s Maalonga Konelio will start on the wing, with Kalamunda’s Daley Harper running on at fullback.
McIsaac said the team is not happy with the performances they have been putting out on the field and will look to rectify that this weekend.
“We haven’t been playing a full 80 minutes and it’s showed the last two weeks, we’ve come out firing but haven’t been able to hold off and finish the game.”
“We’ll look to be a lot cleaner this week, not just in skills but also around the ground with the decisions we make at crucial points in the game.”
“Our forward pack will need to be at its best this week, the Vikings will come at us hard in that area, but I’m confident we can match up well. With Tet and Francois coming back in the fold, we’re looking pretty strong there.”
Watch Tai McIsaac deliver the team here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-m4pZrooAU
2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship – Week Four
1. Francois van Wyk UWA
2. Anaru Rangi Nedlands
3. Tetera Faulkner Wanneroo
4. Adrian Hall Cottesloe
5. Ross Haylett-Petty Cottesloe
6. Alex Rovira Associates
7. Kane Koteka Wests Scarborough
8. Angus Cottrell (C) Associates
9. Ryan Louwrens Cottesloe
10. Luke Burton UWA
11. Brad Lacey Wests Scarborough
12. Solomoni Rasolea Cottesloe
13. Ammon Matuauto Associates
14. Maalonga Konelio Joondalup
15. Daley Harper Kalamunda
Reserves
16. Conan Houkamau Wests Scarborough
17. Joe Savage Palmyra
18. Oliver Hoskins Cottesloe
19. Riley Winter Wests Scarborough
20. Auega Seumanutafa Kalamunda
21. Michael Ruru Nedlands
22. Nick Jooste Hale School
23. Davis Tavita Nedlands