Perth Spirit v North Harbour Rays

[Bally]

PERTH SPIRIT MEDIA ALERT
Thursday, 27 August 2015

FAULKNER, GODWIN BACK FOR SPIRIT’S FIRST HOME MATCH

Marquee players Kyle Godwin and Tetera Faulkner will make their first appearance for the Perth Spirit in the team’s first home match of the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) against the North Harbour Rays at McGilivray Oval on Saturday.

Click here to watch Head Coach Tai McIsaac announce his team: http://bit.ly/1WTKe7n

The Spirit will look to make McGillivray Oval a fortress this season after winning two of their three home fixtures in Perth in 2014, as they look to ‘fill the hill’ against the Rays.

Godwin’s return at inside centre is one of six changes to the starting line-up to face the Rays while Faulkner, who is a member of the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup train-on squad, will start off the bench.

In the front row, Tessmann will again captain the side after a standout performance against Brisbane City, and will pack down alongside Francois Van Wyk (UWA) and Nedlands’ premiership-winning tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley, who both make their way into the run-on XV after impressing off the bench last week.

UWA’s Richard Hardwick will start at openside flanker on his home track, replacing fellow Future Force scholarship holder Kane Koteka, who has succumbed to a quad strain.

Davis Tavita will start at flyhalf in place of the injured Luke Burton (broken nose). Tavita’s call-up comes after an impressive showing in Nedlands’ Pindan Premier Grade grand final triumph last weekend in his first match back from an ankle injury.

Joondalup Brothers midfielder Maalonga Koneilo retains his spot after a solid showing in his Buildcorp NRC debut last week and will return to his favoured outside centre position and team up with Godwin.

2015 PG Hampshire Award winner, Daley Harper will again start from the bench providing coverage across the backline, while Kalamunda teammate and Western Australian Under 20 back-rower, Auega Seumanutafa will look to make his debut off the bench.

Current Hale Schoolboy and fellow WA Under 20 representative, Nicholas Jooste is set to make his Perth Spirit debut at just 18 years of age, while Nedlands’ premiership-winning hooker Anaru Rangi is also in line for his first appearance in the tournament.

McIssac says the team is looking forward to playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season.

“The whole group is very excited to be playing in front of our home crowd on the hill this weekend,” he said.

“It’s great to have Kyle and Tet back for this week, who will bring further experience and class to our side.

“We took a lot out of last week’s match and, given the pace of the game, it’s important that we’re working hard off the ball to enable us to play the game we want to play.

“There were a number of very promising performances last week, and it was great to see guys like Francois Van Wyk and Jermaine Ainsley providing such an impact off the bench, and they’ve been rewarded with a starting role this weekend.

“Similarly, it’s exciting for a number of our rising young stars in Auega and Joostey to get their first taste at this level, and their performances this season at their club and representative levels should give them a lot of confidence ahead of this weekend’s match.”

Season Tickets for the 2015 Perth Spirit season are on sale now! Click here to get tickets to all four home games for the price of three: http://bit.ly/1L3dBQL

2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship – Week Two
Perth Spirit v North Harbour Rays
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 29 August 2015
Kick-off: 3.30pm (AWST)

1. Francois van Wyk UWA
2. Heath Tessman (c) Nedlands
3. Jermaine Ainsley Nedlands
4. Rory Walton Wests Scarborough
5. Ross Haylett-Petty Cottesloe
6. Chris Alcock UWA
7. Richard Hardwick UWA
8. Angus Cottrell Associates
9. Ryan Louwrens Cottesloe
10. Davis Tavita Nedlands
11. Brad Lacey Wests Scarborough
12. Kyle Godwin Associates
13. Maalonga Konelio Joondalup
14. Sevuloni Mocenacagi
15. Albert Nikoro Wests Scarborough

Reserves
16. Anaru Rangi Nedlands
17. Chris Heiberg Perth Bayswater
18. Tetera Faulkner Wanneroo
19. Riley Winter Wests Scarborough
20. Auega Seumanutafa Kalamunda
21. Ian Prior Nedlands
22. Nicholas Jooste Hale School/Cottesloe
23. Daley Harper Kalamunda

If you havnt seen anaru rangi play your in for a real treat.hes brutal around the field and will be a real crowd pleaser.big questions will be asked of his conditioning and throwing.if he ticks these boxes a contract will be awaiting if not here ,somewhere and the other is davis tavita,hasnt been given a descent crack yet but if your looking for a running 5/8 hes the right man for the jjob.the most exciting young talent to come out of the west since goodwin is nick jooste.i had the pleasure of coaching him a few years ago and he had a massive boot then and a good head on him then so a few years on it will be good to see how he has developed

[Cowboy]

How is longbottom getting on up there? England call up?

The curse of leaving the Force struck again. Hope he gets back to his best.

[Cowboy]

If you havnt seen anaru rangi play your in for a real treat.hes brutal around the field and will be a real crowd pleaser.big questions will be asked of his conditioning and throwing.if he ticks these boxes a contract will be awaiting if not here ,somewhere and the other is davis tavita,hasnt been given a descent crack yet but if your looking for a running 5/8 hes the right man for the jjob.the most exciting young talent to come out of the west since goodwin is nick jooste.i had the pleasure of coaching him a few years ago and he had a massive boot then and a good head on him then so a few years on it will be good to see how he has developed

I am loving the NRC for giving us the chance to see local players like these. Unfortunately won't be able to get to the game tomorrow because of work.

[SNOB]

I can't make it either as Mrs Snob decided to break her ankle and is totally incapacitated until she sees the surgeon next week!
Bloody inconsiderate if you ask me!
Go the Spirit!

Will have to try that streaming thing!

[jargan83]

The weather forecast might scare a few off tomorrow.

[Alison]

The weather forecast might scare a few off tomorrow.

Not the diehards. Nor those of us brought up watching live rugby in English winters!

[taylor]

I reckon he was the 1% between winning the close games and losing them last year. I miss him as a player and wish he would come back.

[Jules]

I want to go but have a toddler today. Not rugby watching friendly! See how the weather is before deciding..

[F Man]

I reckon he was the 1% between winning the close games and losing them last year. I miss him as a player and wish he would come back.

Who, Jargan?

[Cowboy]

Crap - they beat us. Time for IN SEASON PERFORMANCE REVIEW.

[maelkann]

Anyone get a penalty count?

Was our discipline really that poor, or did we fail to 'adapt' to the referee?

[Tazzmania]

Anyone get a penalty count?

Was our discipline really that poor, or did we fail to 'adapt' to the referee?

No but it was overwhelmingly in favour of the Rays, Lees appeared very one eyed not blowing up both teams for similar infringements the were constantly creeping over the offside line on our attack and the touchiest did not notice either.

That said and done we should have put them to bed in the first twenty, that intercept try really hurt us put paid to all the momentum we had.

While disappointed with loss, liked the forwards, Ainsley and Van Wyk excellent , Hardwick tried too hard , Walton not good enough at this level. Backline Kyle had too much todo looking after the club players, the two wings very disappointing Nikoro good first half failed to kick on in second, tevita not at this level Lourens too quick for the inexperienced back line.

Interesting to see what happens next week Kyle needs a Rosolea or like to help him guide the backline if we continue to blood the club players.

[brokendown gunfighter]

the Spirit gave away far too many silly penalties at crucial times

[forcefan44]

Thought Ross hp looked lost. Good atmosphere and glad the weather held. Pindan pg held there own. A few missed chances and some poor reffing. Pleased with Tessman. Ainsley. Walton. Hardwick. Godwin. Maalonga and Alby

[forcefan44]

Agreed on the intercept try. Seemed unjust at that stage of the game