SPIRIT SEEKS RISING REDEMPTION IN SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWN

Oct 23 • Australia, General News • 2341 Views • Comments Off on SPIRIT SEEKS RISING REDEMPTION IN SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWN

The Perth Spirit will use a mix of Western Australian club and Super Rugby experienced players to tackle the unbeaten Melbourne Rising in the semi-final of the inaugural Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) this Saturday.

The Rising’s claimed the Round Four fixture between the two sides, 44-24, however, the Spirit has finished the season strongly and will be out to end the Melbourne team’s undefeated run.

The set-piece has been a feature of the Spirit’s game this season and Super Rugby experienced second-rower Sam Wykes will lead the Perth side this week. Perth Bayswater’s Brent Murphy has been strong for the Spirit throughout the campaign covering the second and back rows and retains his starting position alongside Wykes.

Wallabies and Western Force prop Pek Cowan returns to the front row, lining up alongside Cottesloe’s Robbie Abel and Oliver Hoskins.

In the back-row, Associates’ Alex Rovira and West Scarborough’s Kane Koteka have retained their positions at No. 8 and openside flanker respectively while Western Force and Nedlands heavyweight Brynard Stander returns to start on the opposite flank.

In the backline, Nedlands’ Ian Prior and Soaks’ Zack Holmes will combine again in the halves while Marcel Brache, Luke Morahan and Dane Haylett-Petty come into the back three.

In the centres, Ammon Matuauto (Associates) has retained his jersey and will be joined by Solomoni Rasolea (Cottesloe).

On the bench, the front row will be ably backed Palmyra’s Joe Savage, UWA’s Harry Scoble and Perth Bayswater’s Chris Heiberg while Cottesloe’s Kieran Stringer and UWA’s Richard Hardwick will cover the second and back-rows. Justin Turner from Associates and Davis Tavita from Nedlands will cover scrumhalf and the inside backs respectively while UWA utility back Christian Joubert will come off the bench in the outside backs.

Spirit coach David Wessels said his side is gearing up for a hard-hitting match-up with the competition heavyweights.

“The Melbourne Rising have set the pace in this competition from the outset and will provide a substantial physical challenge on Saturday but our players will rise to that challenge,” Wessels said.

“It is an exciting opportunity to be playing in the finals series of the inaugural year of the competition and we are proud to have reached this achievement for ourselves and our supporters.

“We have a good mix of local and Super Rugby contracted players taking the field on Saturday and that’s a great reflection of this competition and its success in broadening the playing base here in Western Australia, as well as growing facets of our game relevant to our Super Rugby program.”

Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 3 and 3HD with coverage commencing from 12.30pm (AWST).

2014 Buildcorp NRC – Semi-Finals
Melbourne Rising v Perth Spirit
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Kick-off: 3.35pm (local)/12.35pm (AWST)

1. Pek Cowan (West Scarborough)
2. Robbie Abel (Cottesloe)
3. Oliver Hoskins (Cottesloe)
4. Sam Wykes (c) (Wests Scarborough)
5. Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater)
6. Brynard Stander (Nedlands)
7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough)
8. Al Rovira (Associates)
9. Ian Prior (Nedlands)
10. Zack Holmes (Associates)
11. Marcel Brache (Perth Bayswater)
12. Solomoni Rasolea (Cottesloe)
13. Ammon Matuauto (Associates)
14. Luke Morahan (Kalamunda)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (Cottesloe)

Reserves
16. Harry Scoble (UWA)
17. Joe Savage (Palmyra)
18. Chris Heiberg (Perth Bayswater)
19. Kieran Stringer (Cottesloe)
20. Richard Hardwick (UWA)
21. Justin Turner (Associates)
22. Davis Tavita (Nedlands)
23. Christian Joubert (UWA)