Canberra Vikings vs Ballymore Tornadoes, preview

Venue & time

Manuka Oval, Canberra. Sunday 2.30pm (AEST).

Head to head

Debut clash

Walking wounded & team changes

The Vikings have made three changes from last week's victorious team. Saia Faingaa (hamstring) and centre Gene Fairbanks (hamstring) have joined the long-term injury list. Anthony Hegaty comes in at hooker, while Anthony Faingaa takes replaces Fairbanks. The other change sees lock Dan Guinness come off the bench as part of a second row rotation for Adam Wallace-Harrison.

The Tornadoes have lost World Cup Wallabies Greg Holmes, Berrick Barnes and Sam Cordingley for the rest of the season. The backline reshuffle sees teenager Will Genia start at scrumhalf, Tim Sampson moves to flyhalf and former Australia U19 captain Brett Gillespie debuts at inside centre. GPS prop Brett Naylor takes over for Holmes with Charles Wyllie, Brendan McKibbin and Paul Doneley coming onto the bench. Ant Sauer replaces Elia Tuqiri, who is out with an ankle injury.

Form

The Vikings looked great in the opening 40 minutes against the Rebels before falling in a heap and being over-run. However, the provided a big upset when their rugged defence managed to hold out the Spirit last week for a win in the west. Their combinations are starting to gel and their big forwards are working well.

The Tornadoes were not in the game for the first half of their opening-round clash with the Aces before staging a remarkable comeback to almost win the match. They managed to carry that momentum into last week's match against the Fleet getting out to a handy lead and holding off a Fleet fightback. However, much of their play was spearheaded by Barnes, Cordingley and Holmes so it will be interesting to see how they cope this week without their Test players.

Who’s hot

Vikings flanker Jack Vanderglas turned in a huge performance last week in a man-of-the-match effort in the win over the Spirit. He was ably assisted by prop Nic Henderson. Teenage flyhalf Christian Lealiifano continues to shine while Matt Carraro is proving to be a handful for opposition backlines.

Holmes, Barnes and Cordingley all starred for the Tornadoes last week while Peter Hynes and 18-year-old Blair Connor also impressed. Clinton Schifcofske's has his goal-kicking on target while Leroy Houston continues to work well in the pack.

Teams

Canberra Vikings

1. John Ulugia,
2. Saia Faingaa,
3. Nic Henderson,
4. Alister Campbell (c),
5. Dan Guinness,
6. Jack Vanderglas,
7. Julian Salvi,
8. Jone Tawake,
9. Nick Haydon;
10. Christian Lealiifano,
11. Francis Fainifo,
12. Anthony Faingaa ,
13. Matt Carraro,
14. Eddie McLaughlin,
15. Tim Wright.

16. Dan Raymond,
17. Jack Kennedy,
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison,
19. Peter Kimlin,
20. Rowan Kellam,
21. Ben Johnston,
22. Solomona Fainifo.

Ballymore Tornadoes

1. Brett Naylor,
2. Josh Mann-Rea,
3. Shon Siemonek,
4. Ed O’Donoghue,
5. James Horwill,
6. Daniel Linde,
7. Tom McVerry (capt),
8. Leroy Houston,

9. Will Genia,
10. Tim Sampson,
11. Ant Sauer,
12. Brett Gillespie,
13. Peter Hynes,
14. Blair Connor,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.

16. Geoff Abram,
17. Ernest Skelton,
18. Scott Higginbotham,
19. Charles Wyllie,
20. Brendan McKibbin,
21. David Collis,
22. Paul Doneley.