McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City side to play Fijian Drua
McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City have named their side for their opening match of the 2017 National Rugby Championship against Fijian Drum on Saturday, 2 September at Ballymore Stadium.
Head coach Mick Heenan has named a side that features four capped Wallabies and 12 players with Super Rugby experience.
St.George Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper will form a half pairing with Reds teammate Moses Sorovi, while Kane Douglas will start at lock alongside Reds teammate Lukhan Tui.
City has been bolstered in the last week by the return of Rugby Championship Wallabies squad members Douglas, Adam Korcyzk and Samu Kerevi, who have all been named in the starting side.
Heenan has named five debutants in the starting XV with Australian U20s captain and recent Reds’ debutant Reece Hewat set to make his Brisbane City debut at Number 8.
Laione Mulikhaamea is the other debutant in the forward pack, picked to start at loosehead prop alongside captain Andrew Ready at hooker and Sam Talakai at tighthead.
Wests Bulldogs flyers Lachlan Maranta and Ed Fidow have both been picked for their respective debuts on the wings while GPS’ AJ Alatimu will earn his Brisbane City debut at inside centre.
Michael Gunn returns for his fourth season of NRC at flanker and Jayden Ngamanu rounds out the back three after earning his debut for City last year.
In the reserves, Maile Ngauamo, Markus Vanzati and Feao Fotuaika will provide front-row cover with Dan Gorman and Pat Morrey named as the other forward replacements.
Sunnybank’s Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has been named as replacement scrumhalf on a bench that also features Sunnybank’s Henry Taefu and GPS’ Maaloga Konelio.
Head coach Mick Heenan said: “The team has really enjoyed training over the last few weeks and we’ve had fun putting the jigsaw together for Round 1. We’ve got some blokes with a lot of experience and that’s definitely given some of the younger guys confidence.
“The danger has always been that the rest of the guys sit back and wait for those more experienced blokes to lead and produce something but they haven’t done that.
“The boys are really feeding off each other and it’s good to see the club guys stepping it up.”
Gates to Ballymore Stadium open at 1:15pm and entry is FREE. The match kicks off at 3:00pm. The match is proudly presented by St.George.
Brisbane City side to face Fijian Drua:
- Laione Mulikihaamea – GPS (Brisbane City debut)
- Andrew Ready (C) – Reds/Easts
- Sam Talakai – Reds/Brothers
- Kane Douglas – Reds/Norths
- Lukhan Tui – Reds/Souths
- Adam Korcyzk – Reds/University of Queensland
- Michael Gunn – Reds/Easts
- Reece Hewat – Reds/Norths (NRC debut)
- Moses Sorovi – Reds/University of Queensland
- Quade Cooper – Reds/Souths
- Lachlan Maranta – Reds/Wests (NRC debut)
- AJ Alatimu – GPS (Brisbane City debut)
- Samu Kerevi – Reds/Souths
- Ed Fidow – Wests (NRC debut)
- Jayden Ngamanu – Reds/Souths
Reserves
- Maile Ngauamo – Souths (Potential Brisbane City debut)
- Markus Vanzati – Reds/Souths
- Feao Fotuaika – Sunnybank
- Dan Gorman – GPS
- Pat Morrey – University of Queensland (Potential NRC debut)
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – Sunnybank (Potential Brisbane City debut)
- Henry Taefu – Reds/Sunnybank
- Maaloga Konelio – GPS (Potential Brisbane City debut)
Fans can watch this game LIVE on FOX Sports Television at 3PM AEST.
FOX SPORTS digital subscription can be purchased via www.foxsports.com.au/fox-sports-subscription
It costs $1 for the first month then $4.99 every month and includes:
- NRC LIVE AND UNINTERRUPTED: Watch two NRC matches live each round, exclusive to your subscription
- FULL REPLAYS OF EVERY GAME: Relive every NRC match, available only 12 hours after the final whistle
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