Digby Ioane Returns for Force Gold Clash Against Yamaha
Australia A try-scoring machine Digby Ioane returns to the Western Force Gold line-up to play Yamaha Jubilo on Saturday at Rugby Park.
The Super 14 powerhouse will begin on the bench, after time away on annual leave, with Australian U19 flyer Brett Stapleton – who scored two impressive tries against Yamaha last Saturday – starting at left wing.
Ioane scored four tries for Australia A in the two recent matches against Fiji, and was also a strong performer for the Australian U21s at the World Championships in June.
Fellow Super 14 speedster Scott Staniforth, who played in his customary right wing position against the Japanese last weekend, moves to outside centre while Scott Daruda shifts from fullback to flyhalf following the injury to James Hilgendorf.
Zander Peden returns from injury, to play on the right wing, as does lock Matt Windle and number 8 Josh Fuimaono. Both Peden and Windle haven’t played for Force Gold since the development tour to South Africa in June, while Fuimaono came off the bench against Samoa in July.
This second and final game against Yamaha, which follows Force Gold’s convincing 66-7 triumph at Rosalie Park in their first encounter, will be the last chance for local rugby fans to see Josh Graham in action, who leaves Perth for the Gold Coast to play for the Titans in next year’s NRL.
Force Gold coach John Mulvihill said he was pleased with the performance against Yamaha on the weekend, particularly the way the players stuck to the game plan and kept their structure despite the score.
However, he said it was important that the team backed-up with another strong showing.
“There’s less than a week between our matches against Queensland and the ACT in the up-coming APC, so the guys need to be able to quickly refocus,” he said.
This Saturday’s match is at Rugby Park, Perry Lakes. Kick off is at 3.30pm.
Unavailable due to injury: Brendan Cannon (neck), James Hilgendorf (hand), Matt Hodgson (hamstring), Lachlan MacKay (groin), Pat O’Connor (appendix), Chris O’Young (shoulder), David Pusey (ankle), Rudi Vedelago (ankle), AJ Whalley (foot).
The squad is:
1. Pek Cowan
2. Luke Holmes
3. Angus Scott
4. Matt Windle
5. Luke Doherty (c)
6. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock
8. Josh Fuimaono
9. Matt Henjak
10. Scott Daruda
11. Brett Stapleton
12. Junior Pelesasa
13. Scott Staniforth
14. Zander Peden
15. Haig Sare
16. Bill Johnston
17. Gareth Hardy
18. Jonathan Stanley
19. Kiti Fuluna
20. Vitori Buatava
21. Josh Graham
22. Digby Ioane
