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The Perth Spirit will wrap up the 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship regular season this Saturday, 18 October when they travel to Dubbo to take on the NSW Country Eagles.
The Spirit has seen some changes to the backline this week with Wanneroo’s Koiatu Koiatu called into the side to make his Buildcorp NRC debut. The fleet-footed Cook Islands Sevens representative has been named on the wing with UWA’s Christian Joubert moving to fullback after standout debut in Round Seven, scoring the opening try.
Associates’ Justin Turner and Palmyra’s Va’a Mailei have been elevated to the starting side at scrumhalf and on the wing respectively and Ammon Matuauto, also from Soaks, returns to the centres in place of Wallaby squad member Kyle Godwin.
The side will be led by Joe Savage from Palmyra with Perth Bayswater’s Chris Heiberg joining him in the front row, replacing Tetera Faulkner who was called into the Wallabies squad.
Other changes to the forward pack include UWA’s Corey Thomas in the second row, returning from a shoulder injury, and Richard Hardwick elevated into the starting side on the flank.
UWA Pindan Premier Grade captain Cian O’Connor is set to make his Perth Spirit debut off the bench, covering the back-row while Kaisa Reidy has been called into the match day 23 for the second time and is also set to earn his first cap.
Coach Kevin Foote said the side’s preparation was strong this week and while there is a lot riding on the result leading into the 2014 Buildcorp NRC final series, the side was just focused on Saturday’s performance and writing their own destiny.
“The effort at training this week has been exceptional as it has been all season and after a week’s break we are very keen to get back out there and finish this season well,” he said. “The boys are very fired up.
“While we have a lot to play for this week. Our focus is on our own game, playing out the full 80 and if we can get that done we are confident that the result will take care of itself.
“While have had some players succumb to injury, we have been able to bring in some very capable replacements in Koiatu and Cian [O’Connor] from our local player base to cover us and we look forward to seeing them get their opportunity in this competition.”
Round Nine will be recognised as Mental Health Round with Buildcorp working together with the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) and state unions to raise $50,000 in funds for the Buildcorp Charitable Fund to assist Lifeline’s Online Crisis Support Chat.
2014 Buildcorp NRC Mental Health Round - Week Nine
NSW Country Eagles v Perth Spirit
Caltex Park, Dubbo
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Kick-off: 6.00pm (local)/3pm (AWST)
1. Joe Savage (c) (Palmyra)
2. Robbie Abel (Cottesloe)
3. Chris Heiberg (Perth Bayswater)
4. Corey Thomas (UWA)
5. Brent Murphy (Perth Bayswater)
6. Richard Hardwick (UWA)
7. Kane Koteka (Wests Scarborough)
8. Al Rovira (Associates)
9. Justin Turner (Associates)
10. Zack Holmes (Associates)
11. Koiatu Koiatu (Wanneroo)
12. Luke Burton (UWA)
13. Ammon Matuauto (Associates)
14. Va’a Mailei (Palmyra)
15. Christian Joubert (UWA)
Reserves
16. Harry Scoble (UWA)
17. Oliver Hoskins (Cottesloe)
18. Kaisa Reidy (Cottesloe)
19. Kieran Stringer (Cottesloe)
20. Cian O’Connor (UWA)
21. Michael Ruru (Nedlands)
22. Davis Tavita (Nedlands)
23. Nili Fielea (Cottesloe)
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Originally Posted by Invictus
