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SPIRIT NAMED FOR SYDNEY RAYS SHOWDOWN
The Road Safety Perth Spirit will be boosted by the return of towering lock Richard Arnold and experienced flyhalf Peter Grant for Saturday afternoon’s clash with the Sydney Rays at McGillivray Oval.
Sitting outside of the top four the Spirit will aim to keep their undefeated home record intact as the Western Australian side look to keep their finals hopes alive.
In further changes to the side, Shambeckler Vui comes into the starting side with Jermaine Ainsley required by the Wallabies, Isi Naisarani moves to blindside flanker with Ben McCalman to make his first start of the season at No.8.
The Spirit backline has been reshuffled with Bill Meakes and Curtis Rona on Wallabies duties, Marcel Brache and James Verity-Amm will partner in the centres with local young guns Clay Uyen and Nick Jooste coming into the back three.
A host of Pindan Premier Grade stars make up the bench with Logan Ede, Baxter King and Kaisa Reidy returning after impressing in their outings for the Spirit this season. Wests Scarborough winger and the Pindan Premier Grade’s ‘Most Improved Player’ in 2017, Jordan Luke is in line to make his debut in the 23 jersey.
Road Safety Perth Spirit Head Coach Kevin Foote says his men are determined to respond after an underwhelming performance in Tamworth last week.
“We haven’t travelled well this season but something we have done well is defend the hill and win our home games, so we are excited to be back home and want to make sure we get back to our style of game.”
“A good result this weekend keeps our season very much alive and that has been a very big motivation at training this week.”
Pek Cowan (Wests Scarborough)
2. Anaru Rangi (Nedlands) VC
3. Shambeckler Vui (Wanneroo)
4. Richard Arnold (Nedlands)
5. Matt Philip
6. Isi Naisarani
7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough)
8. Ben McCalman (Kalamunda)
9. Michael Ruru (Nedlands) C
10. Peter Grant (Cottesloe)
11. Clay Uyen (UWA)
12. Marcel Brache (Perth Bayswater)
13. James Verity-Amm (Nedlands)
14. Chance Peni (Palmyra)
15. Nick Jooste (Cottesloe)16. Logan Ede (Nedlands)
17. Baxter King (Wests Scarborough)
18. Kaisa Reidy (Cottesloe)
19. Onehunga Havili (Palmyra)
20. Tevin Ferris (Nedlands)
21. Ian Prior (Nedlands)
22. Brendan Owen (Associates)
23. Jordan Luke (Wests Scarborough)*
*Denotes possible debut
NRC 2017 – Round Eight
Road Safety Perth Spirit vs Sydney Rays
Saturday, 21 October. Kick off – 2:00PM AWST
McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont
FREE ENTRY
That's a very strong team! Hopefully they can put in a better performance than last week. Great to see the Big Dog pulled up OK after last week and is ready to start!
Spirit by 40