SPIRIT RETAINS SQUAD FOR GRAND FINAL SHOWDOWN
The Perth Spirit has named an unchanged 23-man side to take on Brisbane City in the inaugural Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) grand final this Saturday (1 November) at Ballymore Oval, Brisbane.
The Spirit defeated the Melbourne Rising, 45-29, in the semi-final last week on the back of a courageous defensive effort and will look to carry that momentum through against a strong Brisbane City side.
The only change to the starting XV is in the backline with Ammon Matuauto and Junior Rasolea trading jerseys in the centres.
Spirit coach Kevin Foote said the team is excited for Saturday’s grand final.
“A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into this season and we’re very excited to contest the inaugural NRC grand final this Saturday,” Foote said. “It’s humbling to have this opportunity and we are looking forward to the challenge.
“Our effort last week against the Rising was outstanding and we know we will need to match that this week against a Brisbane City side that have a number of strong ball-runners and will be physical at the breakdown and strong at set-piece.
“This competition has allowed us to expose 42 Perth-based players – including 25 outside of the Force senior squad – to high-level rugby and it has broadened our playing base in Western Australia as well as allowing us to continue to build our Super Rugby program.
“This is a big occasion and the boys are looking forward to getting out there, playing for each other and representing our passionate fans and WA rugby community.”
Saturday’s match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 3 and 3HD and Fox Sports Sports Play with coverage commencing from 4.30pm (AWST).
2014 Buildcorp NRC – Grand Final
Brisbane City v Perth Spirit
Ballymore Oval, Brisbane
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local)/4.30pm (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. Alex Rovira (Associates)
9. Ian Prior (Nedlands)
10. Zack Holmes (Associates)
11. Marcel Brache (Perth Bayswater)
12. Ammon Matuauto (Associates)
13. Solomoni Rasolea (Cottesloe)
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)
Related Posts
« HOFFMAN APPOINTED MATCH OFFICIALS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – QUEENSLAND QANTAS WALLABIES ANNOUNCE TEAM TO PLAY BARBARIANS »
