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Canberra Vikings vs Sydney Fleet - Match Preview
09/09/2007
Venue & time
Canberra Stadium. Sunday September 9, 2.30pm (AEST)
Head to head
Debut clash
Team changes
The Vikings have named an unchanged line-up from the one that suffered a narrow loss to the Aces last week. However, flyhalf Christian Lealiifano is in doubt with a shoulder injury. Should he be ruled out inside centre Anthony Faingaa will step into the No.10 jersey with Australian under 19 centre Rowan Kellam coming into the starting XV.
For the Fleet, in form custodian Gavin Debartolo has been ruled out with a minor hamstring complaint. Arthur Little makes his long-awaited starting debut at fullback with Junior Puroku coming in on the bench. The only other change sees prop Laurie Weeks come into the run-on side on rotation with Dayna Edwards.
Form
The Vikings powered to the top of the table after three rounds courtesy of strong wins over Perth and Ballymore but they let a handy 23-point lead slip last week to be beaten on the bell by the Aces on the Gold Coast. Expect them to close out the match if they get in front this week.
After scoring a moral-boosting win over Perth in round three the Fleet put in a competitive display to go down to the Melbourne Rebels last start. The loss of the creative DeBartolo will be a blow, but Little will be keen to impress, so keep an eye on the Fleet No.15.
Who's hot
Vikings flyhalf Lealiifano continues to be the talk of the competition. The 19-year-old is showing he has plenty of skills in his bag of tricks and enough maturity to drive his side around the field. Centres Anthony Faingaa and Matt Carraro have also been impressive while lock Adam Wallace-Harrison and flanker Jack Vanderglas have been the standouts in the pack.
Fleet flyhalf Daniel Halangahu continues to show his class in the Sydney backline while winger Alfi Mafi proved to be a handful last week against the Rebels. Morgan Turinui stepped up last week after a couple of quiet matches while prop Jeremy Tilse has been solid up front.
Teams
Canberra Vikings
1. John Ulugia,
2. Anthony Hegarty,
3. Nic Henderson,
4. Alister Campbell (c),
5. Adam Wallace-Harrison,
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. Huia Edmonds,
17. Jack Kennedy,
18. Dan Guinness,
19. Peter Kimlin,
20. Patrick Phibbs,
21. Rowan Kellam, *
22. Ben Johnston,
23. Solomona Fainifo.
Sydney Fleet
1. Jeremy Tilse,
2. Atonio Halangahu,
3. Laurie Weeks,
4. Will Caldwell,
5. Adam Byrnes,
6. Dean Mumm,
7. Pat McCutcheon,
8. Tim Davidson [c],
9. Nathan Sievert,
10. Daniel Halangahu,
11. Anton La Vin,
12. Tom Azar,
13. Morgan Turinui,
14. Alfi Mafi,
15. Arthur Little.
16. Sean Baker,
17. Dayna Edwards,
18. Matt Whittleston,
19. Chris Houston,
20. Danny Kroll,
21. Junior Puroku,
22. Andrew Barrett.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.