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Kalamunda and Perth-Bayswater want answers from their clash at Hartfield in Sunday’s match of the round in the club rugby competition, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.
Neither side had the start to the season that they wanted. Kalamunda won the 2008 premiership and Perth-Bayswater the 2007 flag but both are winless after the opening round of the 2009 competition against last year’s other two finalists, although in different circumstances.
Perth-Bayswater and Nedlands drew 20 all at Pat O’Hara Reserve in the season opener and it looks like business as usual for the 2007 grand finalists. Perth-Bayswater has recruited heavily but has had more losses, and will need more time to rebuild team combinations. Kalamunda should provide Perth-Bayswater with a yardstick to measure its early season prospects. The Bulls won both 2008 encounters by more than 10 points and a win will have the Morley club firmly on track this year.
Perth-Bayswater has a strong new front row and the second row includes lineout ace Brent Murphy, who toured Britain with the Western Force last year. Talented flanker Shannon Christie has returned to the side of the scrum and young number eight Pierre Roberts was outstanding against Nedlands. An experienced back line features former state flyhalf Nathan McCort and exciting newcomer Gareth Cossey at fullback.
Kalamunda’s 36-17 loss to Wanneroo at Kingsway neatly reverses the 2008 grand final result and coach Paul King must avoid this setting a trend for the season. Kalamunda has lost key forwards including hooker Matt Peachey and number eight Brent Walker, and is relying on its healthy club production line for replacements, along with the return of attacking fullback Dion Berryman. Early indications question whether that is enough and the Bulls will be determined on a good result on Sunday to show they are still major contenders.
The Bulls lost several players to injury after the Wanneroo game and have been forced to make changes for the team to play Perth-Bayswater, and King knows the size of the task ahead.
“We had a good training and our depth in the club is pretty good, so I have no complaints,” King said mid-week.
“They’re a good side, Perth-Bayswater, they’re always tough to beat, right across the park.
“And they have JT [John Taylor] in charge and he’s a pretty wily character.”
After conceding the scrums against Wanneroo, particularly in the second half, King admits that the battle against Perth-Bayswater’s big pack will be crucial.
“When you play Bayswater, you always have to be prepared for the up-front battle, and that’s where it’s won and lost,” King said.
Kalamunda are keen to put the disappointing performance against Wanneroo behind them and King is confident his team has the ability to successfully defend the premiership.
“Against Wanneroo we really didn’t perform to the best of our ability and we’ve tried to rectify that this week,” King said.
“We’ve had two pre-season games and come through those pretty good, but against Wanneroo it all went out the window.
“But seven days is a long time in rugby. They know what I expect of them and we’ve been working on that.
“I’ll almost guarantee you’ll see a different side this week.”
“We’ve done a bit of work on Bayswater and I’m sure they’ve done the same for us. We’re just going to go out there and play our game plan, and hopefully it’s a good spectacle.”
Meanwhile, Palmyra’s match against Nedlands at the Foreshore on Sunday will show how much progress has been made after a strong 31-0 win over University in the opening game indicated healthy dividends from its summer season recruiting program. The Melville club plummeted from finalists in 2006 and 2007 to take the wooden spoon in 2008, and must be desperate to restore pride this season. However, instant success is unlikely and the greatest threat to Nedlands’ chances may be complacency. Coach Tony Ball will need to have his troops at full alert.
Wanneroo travels to Lark Hill to possibly inflict further damage on a weakened Rockingham side that looks unlikely to reach last year’s status of finals contenders. Wests-Subiaco may be in similar straits when the club makes the short trip to Allen Park to take on a rejuvenated Associates team, and an improved Cottesloe will be seeking another healthy win over University at Harvey Field before the first major test against Perth-Bayswater in round three.
http://www.rugbywa.com.au/news/2009/.../section/50753
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Originally Posted by KalaFan
