0
By Fraser Smith
Thu 29th September 16
The Perth Spirit welcome back a wealth of experience for Sunday’s must win clash with Brisbane City at McGillivray Oval with stalwart Pek Cowan to line up for the Spirit in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship for the first time since 2014.
In a further boost for the men from the west, hard running centre Bill Meakes returns in the No.13 jersey after missing last week’s match with concussion while Ryan Louwrens will start at scrumhalf after a one-week absence.
After a disappointing loss at the hands of NSW Country last week Perth Spirit Head Coach Dwayne Nestor says the team is determined to fix some key areas and respond with a victory to keep their top four hopes alive.
“We just have to make sure that our set-piece is up to scratch,” he said. “The boys have worked very hard on that this week and I think they will be very motivated to make sure the scrum especially is effective.”
“Given that Billy Meakes is back in the midfield we just have to unleash the backs. With Ryan Louwrens back and Ian Prior at flyhalf if we can get good platform ball then our backline will be able to do some good things.”
Nestor noted the experience of Cowan coming into the line-up will be a huge benefit to the side.
“I spoke to Pek about it during the week, just having him in there and his experience will be great especially for the club guys around him not to mention the work he gets through and the skills he brings to our forward pack.”
In the front row, Cowan will link up with skipper Heath Tessmann after the hooker came off the bench in his first match of the season last week while Future Force Foundation young gun Shambeckler Vui will again start at tighthead.
The second row remains unchanged, as Cottesloe Seagulls Ross Haylett-Petty and Kieran Stinger look to continue their solid partnership around the ground and at set-piece.
In an all Western Force backrow, Brynard Stander and Ben McCalman will look to impose themselves in the No.6 and No.8 jerseys respectively while Richard Hardwick returns at openside flanker after a two-week stint on the side-lines.
In the halves, scrumhalf Louwrens will link up with Ian Prior at first receiver and the pair will look to regenerate the chemistry they developed as a combination for the Western Force last Super Rugby season.
In the centres, Ben Tapuai will look to build upon his strong performance at inside centre from last week and take on the Brisbane City defence along with Meakes at outside centre.
Rounding out the starting team, Ammon Matuauto shifts to the left wing with Marcel Brache on the right while Palmyra’s Manihera Eden starts at fullback after scoring his maiden Buildcorp NRC try last week.
In the reserves, Anaru Rangi will look to make his impact felt in his first appearance of the season while Fijian flyer, Semisi Masirewa is in line for his Spirit debut after overcoming a knee and ankle injury sustained in the Pindan Premier Grade grand final.
Buildcorp NRC - Round Six
Perth Spirit vs Brisbane City
Sunday, 2 October
Kick off 2:00PM AWST
McGillivray Oval, Mount Claremont
FREE ENTRY
https://www.westernforce.com.au/galleries/photos
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by RugbyReg
