Wallabies to feature in ARC openers

[travelling_gerry]

Wallabies to feature in ARC openers

6/08/2007 12:18:47 PM
Steve Orme

Sportal

http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/r...-openers-32722

The inaugural Australian Rugby Championship will kick-off with a bang on Friday night when the young guns of Australian rugby are given the chance to test their skills against members of the Wallabies' World Cup squad.

Seven members of the 30-man-World-Cup squad will be in action for their respective ARC teams for the opening round of Australian rugby's exciting new national competition.

Wallabies selectors will use the opening round of the ARC to allow injured stars Chris Latham and Wycliff Palu invaluable game-time ahead of next month's Cup campaign while fringe players will also get a chance to sharpen their skills.

Palu is scheduled to make his return from a shoulder injury for the Central Coast Rays in the season-opener against the Sydney Fleet at North Sydney oval on Friday night.

While fullback Chris Latham, considered a vital member of the Wallabies backline, will play for the East Coast Aces against the Ballymore Tornadoes in what will be just his fourth match after returning from knee surgery.

Also in action will be lock Mark Chisholm for the Canberra Vikings against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, while prop Greg Holmes, halfback Sam Cordingley, five-eigth Berrick Barnes and hooker Sean Hardman will all line-up for the Ballymore Tornadoes against the East Coast Aces.

ARU Deputy CEO and ARC Chairman Matt Carroll said he is excited by the prospect of several Wallabies taking part in the opening round of the competition.

"The Mazda Australian Rugby Championship will provide the opportunity for the rising stars of rugby to play alongside Wallabies and Super 14 players and when you combine this with the new laws being trialed, we are in for free-flowing, exciting rugby."

"The best thing for rugby fans to do is to get along to the matches, see for themselves this new exciting competition and bring the kids as they get in for free", Carroll said.

The eight teams to contest the 10-week competition are the Perth Spirit, Melbourne Rebels, Canberra Vikings, Western Sydney Rams, Sydney Fleet, Central Coast Rays, East Coast Aces (Gold Coast) and the Ballymore Tornadoes.

[no.8]

Gee they have soon forgot about Henjak, McIsaac, Fava and McKay...

[hopep]

Not forgotten No.8
just ignored - the difference is in the attitude.

[Ecky]

Isn't the point that the ones named are actually in the wallabies' RWC squad/team?

As opposed to those who have been wallabies...

[Seldom]

They are only there to prop up the east coastt teams and get bigger crowds for them!

[hopep]

Yeah Ecky I know its a media release to drum up some crowd support.
Come and see the 'Wallabies' before the RWC etc.

But thats a bit of the ARUs image problem. By constantly harping on about the wallaby squad members, they fail to promote (in a positive light) the great non-selected players we have all around Australia - and who will be playing in the ARC.
Press releases are very one-sided and are not really the best advertising forum.

[goony]

oh well i still know who i think is the best team and the one that is going to take it out!! go the spirit!!!!!