Bond University Queensland Country side named to face the Rays
The Bond University Queensland Country side has been named ahead of their Round 3 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) clash against the Sydney Rays at Bond University this Saturday, 10 September.
Five changes have been made to the starting XV than ran out against the Melbourne Rising in Round 2 last weekend, with three Gold Coast products welcomed into run on side.
Former All Saints Anglican School student Ben Daley will make his NRC and Queensland Country starting debut at loose-head prop, while former Surfers Paradise Dolphins junior Jack Cornelsen, son of former Queensland and Wallabies great Greg Cornelsen, has been named at Number 8.
At flyhalf, after featuring off the bench in the opening two rounds, Bond University playmaker Mitch Third has been given the chance to start in front of his home crowd. Mack Mason will move to the reserves.
On the wing, Toowoomba product and Queensland and Australian U20s winger Liam Jurd comes into the side in place of Eto Nabuli, who will miss this week after suffering a concussion injury last weekend against the Rising.
Duncan Paia’aua will start at inside-centre after missing Round 2 with a shoulder injury, seeing Tyrone Lefau move to the bench.
In the reserves, Kirwan Sanday returns as tight-head prop cover, while Queensland and Australian U20s representative Angus Scott-Young, son of former Queensland and Wallabies Number 8 Sam Scott-Young, is in line for his potential NRC and Queensland Country debut.
2015 Queensland Country representative Maclean Jones has also been named on the bench, returning to play after a hand injury sustained during the Premier Rugby finals.
Queensland Country head coach Toutai Kefu said: “We’ve had to make a number of adjustments to the side this week, but the benefit we have is that we’ve welcomed back a number of players with experience.
“Backrowers Jack Cornelsen and Maclean Jones featured heavily for Country throughout the 2015 season, and Ben Daley has been excellent for us off the bench and will relish the chance to start this weekend in front of the Gold Coast crowd.
“Paia’aua and Perese in the centres will form an exciting pairing, while Liam Jurd was one of the Australian U20s most consistent performers on tour at the World Junior U20 Championships.
“The promotion of Jurd and Angus Scott-Young into the match-day 23 is a great example of the pathway system at work and I’m looking forward to seeing these two young prospects in action.
“We have a tough task ahead of us in the Rays but the side are improving each and every week and we’re beginning to implement the game plan we’re striving for.”
The match between Queensland Country and the Sydney Rays will kick-off at 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon at Bond University Rugby Club. Tickets are just $15 for adults, $10 for concession and $5 for juniors, and can be purchased at www.redsrugby.com.au.
Queensland Country side to face the Sydney Rays:
- Ben Daley – Reds/Bond/Gold Coast**
- Alex Casey – Souths
- Taniela Tupou – Reds/Brothers
- Izack Rodda – Queensland U20s/Easts
- Rob Simmons – Reds/Sunnybank/Theodore
- Tyrell Barker – Easts
- Conor Mitchell – University of Queensland/Sunshine Coast
- Jack Cornelsen – University of Queensland/Gold Coast
- James Tuttle – Reds/GPS
- Mitch Third – Bond University/Gold Coast
- Liam Jurd – Queensland U20s/University of Queensland/Toowoomba*
- Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/Norths/Rockhampton
- Izaia Perese – Easts
- Liam McNamara – Queensland U20s/Sunnybank
- Tom Banks – Reds/University of Queensland
Reserves
- Feleti Kaitu’u – GPS
- Sef Fa’agase – Reds/University of Queensland/Beaudesert
- Kirwan Sanday – Easts
- Angus Scott-Young – Queensland U20s/University of Queensland***
- Maclean Jones – Queensland U20s/University of Queensland/ St George
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – Sunnybank/Port Douglas
- Mack Mason – Queensland U20s/Easts/Mitchell
- Tyrone Lefau – Wests
Denotes:
*NRC and Queensland Country debut
**NRC and Queensland Country starting debut
***Potential NRC and Queensland Country debut
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