ET Perth Spirit Team to Play the RAMs

[Flamethrower]

Rams Go With Young Guns for Mazda ARC Opener

Tuesday, 7 August 2007
NSWRU Media Unit

The next big things in Australian Rugby will be on show when the Western Sydney Rams kick off their Mazda Australian Rugby Championship season in Perth on Friday.

Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Josh Holmes, Lachie Turner and Kurtley Beale have all been included in the Rams starting line up to play the Perth Spirit at Members Equity Stadium.

"Enthusiasm will be one of our key weapons and with such a young team it's going to be important," Western Sydney Rams head coach Brian Melrose said.

"We've got five blokes aged 20 or under in the side, which makes the experience of Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson all the more vital.

"The Spirit team is basically the Western Force minus their World Cup Wallabies.

"They're got five guys in the team who have played Test Rugby for Australia, so this will give us a good idea of where we sit."

The influx of young talent will be supported by an experienced brigade of players including skipper Ben Hand and locking partner Van Humphries, backrowers Gareth Palamo, Hugh Perrett and Tom Egan, and Samoan international flyhalf Fa'atonu Fili.

Also boosting the Rams ahead of their trip west is their 28-10 trial win over the Canberra Vikings last Friday.

"I don't read too much into trial form but the win gave us some confidence," Melrose added.

"We've got that behind us now so it'll be very interesting to get up against one of the top teams in the competition."

The Western Sydney Rams

1. Benn Robinson
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau [v-c]
3. James Lakepa
4. Van Humphries
5. Ben Hand [c]
6. Gareth Palamo
7. Hugh Perrett
8. Tom Egan
9. Josh Holmes
10. Fa'atonu Fili
11. Lachie Turner [v-c]
12. Chris Siale
13. Lachlan Mitchell
14. Ben Martin
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Ben Roberts
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse
18. Marty Wilson
19. Mark Howell
20. Dave Rimmer
21. Filipo Toala
22. Ben Coridas

Head Coach - Brian Melrose

[no.8]

There is Force element is the rumour

Apparently Seldom this guy Timani just turned up out of the blue 2 weeks ago.
He has only a hastily signed standard MARC contract to his name!
With Rudi Vedelago's mysterious disappearance he has filled the spot nicely!

[JediKnight]

Rudi Vedelago's mysterious disappearance?

What have I missed?

[goony]

family stuff, probably best we leave it at that

[Thequeerone]

I heard compassionate grounds - back for the S14 - fair enough - stuff happens sometimes

[pruc]

two pally boys=] ratu will dominate early with his runs and chucky hope he gets some time on the field. this game looks to be a good one. beale trying to tackle ratu after a hea of steam.... THAT will b interesting!