Schifcofske back at fullback

[Burgs]

I normally support the Reds anyway however I hope the get up on Saturday night to help us in the race to the Finals with the Sharks!
Good luck to Big Dog in re-establishing himself in a S14 Squad too, good to see he hasn't been fully lost to Australian Rugby!

Schifcofske back at fullback

April 05, 2007 - 12:02pm
Story by: Sportal

Rugby league convert Clinton Schifcofske has been selected at fullback with Andrew Walker on the wing for the Queensland Reds in their Super 14 clash against the Sharks in Brisbane on Saturday night.

With Schifcofske fit again after recovering from a hand injury, there had been much conjecture as to whether he or Walker would start in the No.15 jersey.

Walker has been outstanding in the custodian role for the past few matches and possesses a better kicking game than Schifcofske, but the former Canberra Raider offers better defence at the back.

But with the versatile Berrick Barnes also back in the starting side at inside centre and Quade Cooper handed the flyhalf role again, Reds coach Eddie Jones has extra options in the kicking department and has opted for Walker on the wing and Schifcofske at fullback.

Dynamic lock Hugh McMeniman also makes a long-awaited return from an ankle injury and takes his place in the pack along with big prop David Te Moana, who will make his Queensland debut against the Sharks on Saturday night.

Te Moana joins fellow former Kiwi Tama Tuirirangi in a beefy Reds front row. Nicknamed 'Big Dog', the 126kg Te Moana, played seven games for the Western Force last year before leaving for a stint with the Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand alongside Tuirirangi. Both were called into the Reds squad recently after Queensland’s front row stocks were left badly depleted by injury.

Hooker Sean Hardman (hand) also makes a welcome return, as does centre Andrew Brown (ribs).

Queensland Reds squad v Sharks

1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Stephen Moore,
3. David Te Moana,
4. Hugh McMeniman,
5. James Horwill,
6. Mitch Chapman,
7. David Croft,
8. John Roe, (capt),

9. Nic Berry,
10. Quade Cooper,
11. Peter Hynes,
12. Berrick Barnes,
13. Ben Tune,
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.

16. Sean Hardman,
17. Herman Hunt,
18. Ed O’Donoghue,
19. Tom McVerry,
20. Will Genia,
21. Andrew Brown,
22. Brando Va'aulu.

[Burgs]

Walker handed roving commission

By Jim Morton
April 06, 2007

EDDIE Jones has given prodigal son Andrew Walker free rein to work his magic in the hope of ending Queensland Reds' record Super 14 losing streak against the Sharks.

Walker, 33, will have a roving commission from the right wing at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night to spark the Reds attack.

The former Australia and Brumbies wing has moved on to the flank with Clinton Schifcofske recovering from a broken hand to regain the full-back jersey.

But Jones, who played with a 17-year-old Walker at Randwick and later coached him at the Brumbies and Wallabies, wants him to pop up in all corners to take the heat off teenage playmaker Quade Cooper.

"He has a free licence,'' the Reds coach said.

"His best football has always been on the right wing. He can go anywhere and that's what we want him to do.

"He's done it all his football career and he's at the peak of his powers on the right wing.

"It gives him absolute freedom. When he's 10 or 15 he's locked into playing too much of one role.''

Walker showed he'd lost little of his flair and deft touch with a master class from full back in the 21-19 loss to the Chiefs a fortnight ago.

His return from France has proven to be a crucial signing for the Reds, who lost goalkicker Schifcofske for three matches in the same game as Walker's rushed debut off the bench.

Jones had initially planned to play Walker at fly half and demote Cooper to the bench following his forgettable performance against the Chiefs - the Reds' seventh straight loss.

But a toe problem which has hampered Walker's preparation and the 19-year-old player's training form and combination with centre Berrick Barnes, one of five players back from injury, has saved the rookie.

"While it was a tough game for him two weeks ago he's bounced back well at training this week,'' said Jones, who quashed speculation about his future by recommitting to the Reds on Monday.

The Sharks, coming off successive losses to the Brumbies and Western Force, have suffered a blow to their hopes of staying in the top four by losing Springbok full back Percy Montgomery.

Montgomery was in fine form as the Durban-based side won their first six matches but missed the last two weeks through injury and again failed a fitness test yesterday.

Centre Brad Barritt is the only change for the visitors, who haven't won in Brisbane since Henri Honiball inspired a semi-final upset at Ballymore in 1996.

Jones knows the Reds must follow the lead of the Brumbies and Force and rush up on the Sharks and "get in their faces''.

Despite failing to win since the opening round against the Hurricanes, he sees the clash as an important gauge.

The Sharks and Reds have a host of similarities with both playing abrasive, physical games, neither making the play-offs since 2001 and both being provincial powerhouses in the mid-1990s.

"At their best these are the two most physical sides in the competition with the Hurricanes,'' Jones said.

"It's a good chance for us to see where we are. You've got to remember in 2005 they came last.

"They've progressed quicker than we have so it's a good little benchmark test. Coach Dick Muir has done an outstanding job.''

Muir's assistant Grant Bashford said their lack of try-scoring polish had been costly after making 10 line breaks against Force.

The round-10 encounter will be preceded by the Australian club championship decider between Brisbane premiers Wests and Sydney University.

AAP

[jazza93]

yea thats a huge boost for the reds and now walker can go back into the backline. hope they can beat the sharks