Late blow for Tahs

18 Mar 2010

Keo.co.za brings you the latest Super 14 news from Australia.

Late blow for Tahs

Al Baxter and Wycliff Palu have been ruled out of Saturday’s battle with the Force.

The Wallabies pair failed medical tests on Thursday and have been replaced by Sekope Kepu and Ben Mowen respectively. Baxter has a calf strain while Palu is struggling with a hamstring ailment.

Dan Palmer will cover prop on the bench while loose forward Locky McCaffrey is also promoted to the reserves.

Mitchell keeps faith in Force

John Mitchell has named an unchanged starting line up for Saturday’s derby against the Waratahs.

There are three forced changes in the reserves, with injured trio Pek Cowan (shoulder), Matt Dunning (concussion) and Jono Jenkins, who broke his ankle last week, being replaced by Ben Whittaker, Kieran Longbottom and Luke Jones respectively.

Western Force - 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 David Hill, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Stanford, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ryan Tyrrell, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Chris O’Young, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Mitch Inman.

Weeks signs for Rebels

Reds prop Laurie Weeks has confirmed a move to Australia’s newest franchise, the Melbourne Rebels.

Weeks will join the side before the 2011 Super 15. The Rebels have already snagged some big names including World Cup-winning coach Rod Macqueen and England flyhalf Danny Cipriani.

Turinui dropped for SA tour

Reds coach Ewen Mckenzie wants to use the three-match trip to South Africa to bolster his side’s depth.

The former Waratahs and Stade Francais coach said improvements can still be made to a Reds side that’s enjoyed a resurgence in 2010. McKenzie also wants to give some fringe players an opportunity as the management look beyond 2010.

‘We haven’t won every game, so we’re not kidding ourselves that we are killing it,’ McKenzie said. ‘We’re not resting on our laurels and we’re not sitting here going we’ve got it all sorted. We’ve got to keep working within the squad and see if we have any untapped potential in the group that can make us better.’

McKenzie wants to develop wing Will Chambers into a No 13 which means Turinui will not tour with the Reds. Wallabies outside back Digby Ioane is also a useful option.

Reds Academy inside centre Ben Tapuai and tighthead prop Jack Kennedy have also made the 26-man squad.

‘We’re only an injury away in some positions from being exposed, so we’ve got to make sure we work on the depth,’ McKenzie said.

Reds squad:
Forwards: Daniel Braid (v-c), Adam Byrnes, Ben Daley, Saia Faingaa, Sean Hardman, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Leroy Houston, Van Humphries, Jack Kennedy, Jake Schatz, Robert Simmons, Ezra Taylor, Laurie Weeks.
Backs: Will Chambers, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Anthony Faingaa, Will Genia (c), Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Ben Tapuai, Brando Va’aulu, Tim Walsh.


4 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Mar 2010, 14:01 pm

    our saffas next

  • 2.Luke_Twatson: Reply to this comment
    18 Mar 2010, 14:09 pm

    Rebels keen to lure Vermuelen
    43 minutes ago

    The Melbourne Rebels have upped their interest in SA players with Stormers No 8 Duane Vermuelen reportedly on their wishlist.

  • 3.baw: Reply to this comment
    18 Mar 2010, 18:32 pm

    lol! home grown talent and the home effect !hope he stays in south africa…maybe then nick koster will get a deserved chance

  • 4.DonutDunning: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 02:16 am

    Odd that Weeks is leaving.
    He earned the starting tighthead spot for the Reds this year, and has looked Wallaby material since being under Ewen McKenzie.

    The Rebels could have a very decent team next year, even without a lot of ‘marquee’ players.

    Forwards: Laurie Weeks, Adam Freier, Guy Shepherdson, Matt Dunning, Adam Byrnes, Justin Harrison?

    Backs: Richard Kingi, Danny Cipriani, Gene Fairbanks, Stirling Mortlock, Julian Huxley, Lealifano or Toomua (I suspect one might leave but not both), Peter Betham, Morgan Turinui.

    Struggling to think of any Aussie loose forwards who will leave this season. Perhaps Ben Mowen and Mitch Chapman.

    There are plenty of experienced ones in Japan they could hit up though if they are interested.
    Jone Tawake, Hugh McMeniman, Daniel Heenan, Al Campbell, Adam Wallace-Harrison. Perhaps even see Gregan make a return! :)

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