Cummins Ruled Out, Hardy Returns

[Darren]

Exciting winger Nick Cummins has been ruled out of the ET Perth Spirit squad for this Saturday’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Members Equity Stadium.

Cummins suffered a cork to his right thigh just before half time in the 31-19 win over the Central Coast Rays, and will be replaced in the starting side by Dan Bailey.

Meanwhile, prop Gareth Hardy comes into the match day squad for the first time in the 2007 Mazda Australian Rugby Championship. Hardy will wear the unfamiliar no.22 jersey normally used by a reserve winger, but he is not expected to be seen in the backline this weekend.

In other changes, lock Sitaleki Timani returns to the starting XV, with Luke Doherty shifting to blindside flanker and Scott Fardy reverting to the bench.

ET Perth Spirit John Mulvihill said the Melbourne Rebels had shown their
attacking prowess in the first four rounds, having secured bonus points in all three of their wins.

“The Rebels have a class backrow that combines well with an exciting backline to create plenty of opportunities,” Mulvihill said

“They are a quality opposition and we will need to be at our best to beat them.”

Mulvihill said his side was looking forward to running out in front of the home fans after two weeks on the road.

“It will be great to be back at Members Equity Stadium this weekend –
the support of a big crowd always gives the guys a little something extra.”

The game kicks-off at 1pm (WST).

The squad is:
1.AJ Whalley
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Tom Hockings
5. Sitaleki Timani
6. Luke Doherty
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak (c)
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Dan Bailey
12. Scott Daruda
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Ryan Cross
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Luke Holmes
17.Kieran Longbottom
18. Scott Fardy
19. Will Brock
20. James Stannard
21. Lachlan MacKay
22. Gareth Hardy

[Bails]

This is going to be a big game eh?

[Skiza]

Mulvihill said his side was looking forward to running out in front of the home fans after two weeks on the road.

“It will be great to be back at Members Equity Stadium this weekend –
the support of a big crowd always gives the guys a little something extra.”

Think its a hint?
Unfortunately i won't be there...netball gf but it should be a cracker of a game

[Burgs]

Saw a little of the training yesterday.
They seemed very intense and edgy with each other, though in a productive way, not a negative.
Good to see Boof make it back onto the park.
Word on the street (may have been covered elsewhere?) is that we won't be seeing Rudi back from Queensland any time soon.
Hope everything works out for the best for him over there.
Fortunate to see Tom Hockings playing pretty well at the ARC level and Sitaleki Timani slotting in nicely too.
Hopefully big Pat O'Connor isn't too far from fit again either?
With Pusey, Fardy and Doherty, we actually have reasonable bench cover for #4/5/6 but just need that second starting Lock to pair with Sharpey.

[goony]

so chucky is going to back up from spirit and bench for palmyra?? nice work!! better hope he doesnt get on or his arc season might end there...

[qld supporter]

We all know whose season will be ending Mixmastamark......not Palys. Seriously, he's happy to be able to have a run with his Paly brothers and contribute....good luck Paly, and have a blinder Chucka.

[goony]

mate you sure know how to support a losing team - first qld and after this weekend paly... maybe next year??

[frontrow]

mixmaster, qld supporter is chuckys old man from memory, so it is expected he will bitchslap your punk ass after paly win, hahahahaha....
I need a beer...

[goony]

haha fair enough, doesnt mean jack to me though - we will still win and once again paly will have choked in the semi finals again... end of story!! for now