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Ballymore Tornadoes v Melbourne Rebels - Match Preview
Venue & time
Ballymore, Sunday, September 16, 4pm (AEST).
Head to head
Debut clash.
Team changes
The Tornadoes have made minimal changes. Peter Loane takes over for Ben Coutts in the front row, Daniel Linde rotates with Ray Stowers at blindside flanker and Jared Hanna comes onto the bench.
Melbourne has made six changes to its starting line-up. Luke Burgess comes back into the starting XV with Jon McGrath returning to the bench while former Australian Sevens captain Shawn Mackay is finally fit and makes his first start for the Rebels in place of the injured David Dennis (knee). Exciting Test winger Digby Ioane has recovered from a fractured finger and starts on the left wing in place of Peter Owens, who drops out of the 22. Peter Playford is also back and takes up the right wing spot with Nathan Trist switching to fullback and Damon Murphy pushed back to the bench. Up front, teenager James Hanson swaps with Nick Churven at hooker, prop Heamani Lavaka is rested with Mike Ross elevated to the starting role and Josh Hately earns his debut spot in the 22. Matt Hodgson is also out with a knee injury, with David Haydon getting the extra spot on the bench.
Form
The Tornadoes have no good form to write about. They haven't won a game since beating the Fleet in round two and have been outclassed in every contest since. The spirit is there but their execution, particularly at the breakdown, has been pedestrian which puts too much pressure on the backs to do anything significant in attack.
After surprising everyone with good early form to lead at the halfway stage of the competition, the Rebels have gone off the boil recently but still sit in third. They had their bubble burst by the Rams before bouncing back with a win over the Sydney Fleet but outclassed by the Spirit last start.
Who's hot
Clinton Schifcofske has been solid for the Tornadoes and has kept his team in games with accurate goal-kicking. Ray Stowers made an impressive debut at flanker last week against the Rays, while scrumhalf Will Genia, teenage centre Blair Connor and number eight Leroy Houston have been playing well.
David Croft continues to be the shining light for the Rebels being dynamic in both attack and defence. Youngster Michael Hobbs has been impressive while Murphy excites every time he gets the ball. Luke Burgess will be hoping to recapture his good form after starting being Jon McGrath last week.
Teams
Ballymore Tornadoes
1. Ernest Skelton,
2. Josh Mann-Rea,
3. Peter Loane,
4. Ed O’Donoghue,
5. James Horwill,
6., 7. Tom McVerry (c),
8. Leroy Houston,
9. Will Genia,
10. Peter Hynes,
11. Paul Doneley,
12. Brett Gillespie,
13. Blair Connor,
14. Elia Tuqiri,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.
16. Geoff Abram,
17. Shon Siemonek,
18. Charles Wyllie,
19. Jared Hanna,
20. Brendan McKibbin,
21. Ray Stowers,
22. Tim Sampson.
Melbourne Rebels
1. Scott Cameron,
2. James Hanson,
3. Mike Ross,
4. Matt Cockbain,
5. Richard Stanford,
6. Shawn Mackay,
7. David Croft (C),
8. Dave Haigh,
9. Luke Burgess,
10. Dan Kelly,
11. Digby Ioane,
12. Michael Hobbs,
13. James Lew,
14. Peter Playford,
15. Nathan Trist.
16. Nick Churven,
17. Josh Hately,
18. Liam Shaw,
19. David Haydon,
20. Jon McGrath,
21. Jack Farrer,
22. Damon Murphy.
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