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Five Emirates Western Force Players In Australia A Team For Tongan Clash
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 11:28am
ARU/RugbyWA
Five Emirates Western Force players have been named in the match day 22 for Australia A's clash with Tonga at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on Friday night.
Tighthead prop Troy Takiari, flanker David Pocock, and centres Ryan Cross and Junior Pelesasa will start for the A side, while loosehead prop Gareth Hardy is on the bench.
Brumbies lock Alister Campbell will captain the side, with Reds halfback Sam Cordingley to be his vice-captain.
Australia A head coach Laurie Fisher has been handed a strong side for the Tongan clash, which includes Wallabies in Campbell, Cordingley, Nic Henderson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sean Hardman.
Also included in the starting side are first-timers Takiari, Pocock, Cross, Hardy, Dean Mumm, Jone Tawake, Berrick Barnes, Lachie Turner, Clinton Schifcofske, Julian Salvi and Kurtley Beale.
“I’m happy with the level of experience within the squad,” Fisher said.
“All those selected have stood out at Super 14 level and those with Test experience give the team the leadership and guidance required to do well.
“Five weeks is a long time to be on the road and make no mistake about it, this will be a tough competition, which makes leadership all important.
“Tonga has been through some upheaval which makes preparing for this match difficult, as we’re unsure of what they’re going to throw at us.
“That said I’m confident we have the firepower to get our campaign off to a good start.”
2007 iRB Pacific Nations Cup
Match: Tonga v Australia A
Venue: Aussie Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday 25 May 2007
Kick Off: 7.40pm
AUSTRALIA A
1. Nic Henderson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Troy Takiari
4. Will Caldwell
5. Alister Campbell [c]
6. Dean Mumm
7. David Pocock
8. Jone Tawake
9. Sam Cordingley [v-c]
10. Berrick Barnes
11. Lachie Turner
12. Ryan Cross
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Clinton Schifcofske
15. Peter Hewat
16. Sean Hardman
17. Gareth Hardy
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Julian Salvi
20. Josh Holmes
21. Gene Fairbanks
22. Kurtley Beale
Head Coach: Laurie Fisher
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
looks good they should beat tonga but it will be a good game.
theyve switched cross and junior round
Wouldn't bet on it - Connelly has said he wanted to see Cross at 12, and Junior has historically been a 13.
Word is Knuckles is grooming Junior as a Lock....
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Wouldn't be surprised...they may even have him in mind as the fallback position for replacing Larkham.
No, that's why Freier has been retained...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Thought he was the fullback? Got to admit, I'm a bit worried about Gregan as the reserve hooker.
And I'm not sold on Vickerman at Scrum Half yet, but he's the guru...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Indeed he is - who else would have seen the potential in promising a forward a spot on the wing (after a bit of speed training). Not to mention putting a lightly trained sumo in the front row - breathtaking (or at least, there won't be much breath after 5 minutes). Bet the revisiting of the push-me/pull-you combination from Twickenham catches all the other sides and referees unawares.
I'm surprised with all the insane suggestions that no one has mentioned Beale at flyhalf... oh wait.
Is this game being covered at all by radio or T.V.?
Don't be daft - Connolly would never try such a left field idea as that. He'll be years at 13 before he's ready for flyhalf
You're probably right... What about Tawake? One less finger seems to have made him heaps better.Originally Posted by AndyS
Hmm good point. Wonder what they can cut off the coaching staff???