0
Central Coast Rays vs Ballymore Tornadoes - Match Preview
07/09/2007
Venue & time
Bluetongue Stadium, Friday, September 7, 7:30pm (AEST)
Head to head
Debut clash
Team changes
Rays winger Andrew Smith limped off from last week's loss to the Spirit and is replaced by Patrick McCabe for this clash. The other changes are rotational with Ofa Fainga'anuku in for Nick Lah as the starting loosehead-and youngster Jared Waerea-Hargreaves replacing Jason Paseta at number eight in the starting XV.
The Tornadoes prop Ernest Skelton replaces the injured Brett Naylor, while Ben Coutts starts in place of Shon Siemonek at tighthead and Ray Stowers comes in at flanker at the expense of Dan Linde. The Tornadoes have shuffled their backline with Peter Hynes handed the flyhalf duties in place of Tim Sampson while winger Ant Sauer is out. Blair Connor moves into inside centre with Paul Doneley joining the fit again Elia Tuqiri on the wing.
Form
The Rays dampened their impressive maiden win in over the Aces in round three with a loss at home to Perth last start. The Central coast were on the back foot from the get go against the team from the west and will have to work on their set pieces in particular to be more competitive against the Tornadoes.
Ballymore started well against the high-flying Rams last week but they started to make errors in both attack and defence and the Sydneysiders were able to take advantage and rack up a big score. The Queenslanders need o be more disciplined, as they showed in the first 20 minutes last week, to remain in contention in this competition.
Who's hot
Second rowers Cam Treloar and Chris Thomson made an impression in a well-beaten pack last start, while halves Brett Sheehan and Sam Norton-Knight also played well in a gritty defensive effort.
Tornadoes teenage scrumhalf Will Genia continues to play impressive rugby while Clinton Schifcofske is holding the side together at the back. Skipper Tom McVerry and number eight Leroy Houston have been putting in honest performances in an outgunned pack.
Teams
Central Coast Rays
1. Ofa Fainga’anuku,
2. Al Manning,
3. Aaron Tawera,
4. Cameron Treloar (c),
5. Chris Thomson,
6. Beau Robinson,
7. Ross Duncan,
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves,
9. Brett Sheehan,
10. Sam Norton-Knight,
11. Jordan Macey,
12. Sam Harris,
13. Ben Jacobs,
14. Patrick McCabe,
15. Peter Hewat.
16. Alex Gluth,
17. Nick Lah,
18. Nifo Nifo,
19. Jason Peseta,
20. David Harvey,
21. Viliame Ratu,
22. Clint Eadie.
Ballymore Tornadoes
1. Ernest Skelton,
2. Josh Mann-Rea,
3. Ben Coutts,
4. Ed O’Donoghue,
5. James Horwill,
6. Ray Stowers,
7. Tom McVerry (c),
8. Leroy Houston,
9. Will Genia,
10. Peter Hynes,
11. Paul Doneley,
12. Brett Gillespie,
13. Blair Connor,
14. Elia Tuqiri,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.
16. Geoff Abram,
17. Shon Siemonek,
18. Scott Higginbotham,
19. Charles Wyllie,
20. Brendan McKibbin,
21. Dan Linde,
22. Tim Sampson.