Aussie latest – Ripia runs at pivot

Aussie latest – Ripia runs at pivot

7 Apr 2011

Keo.co.za brings you news from Australia’s Super Rugby franchises.

Ripia runs at pivot - Willier Ripia has displaced James O’Connor at flyhalf for the Force.

Ripia’s selection sees O’Connor move to fullback. Flanker Matt Hodgson’s shoulder injury has paved the way for Jono Jenkins’ first game of the season

Force - 15 James O’Connor, 14 David Smith, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Jono Jenkins, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Kieran Longbottom, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Pat Dellit.

Brumbies back their losers - The Brumbies have named an unchanged side to face the Hurricanes despite being on a five-game losing streak.

Another defeat would equal their worst-ever run in the tournament. The only change to the squad sees Pat McCabe named on an extended bench.

Brumbies -15 Matt Toomua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Dan Palmer, 18 Colby Faingaa, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Francis Fainifo, 23 Pat McCabe.

Reds reshuffle - The Reds have made nine changes to the side that beat the Lions.

Hooker James Hanson and loose forward Radike Samo start in place of Saia Faingaa and Leroy Houston, while Ben Daley and Rob Simmons play at prop and lock respectively in their clash with the Stormers. .

In the backline, Mike Harris moves from fullback to inside centre. The change sees Luke Morahan go to fullback, Digby Ioane on to the wing and Anthony Faingaa into outside centre.

Reds - 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Radike Samo, 5 James Horwill(c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Will Chambers.


9 Comments

  • 1.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 09:21 am

    Bold Dragons.

  • 2.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 09:22 am

    Extended bench? Cmon Brumbies by 5

  • 3.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 09:23 am

    Why so much changes Reds?

  • 4.Caper: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 09:31 am

    Brumbies will win the Hurricans. ‘Canes are weak and Brumbies are desperate.

  • 5.We are red: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 10:04 am

    @iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-3: Daley and Simmons were rested last week on the bench so thats two changes, Hanson and Samo have been playing really well so take over from Houston and Faingaa, and the rest is just the backline reshuffle coz Harris is junk under the high ball.

    Other than that, Liam Gill comes into the bench. He is a good young fit fetcher. I think the plan there is to tire out the big stormers forwards and have him come in the final 20 minutes and make a pest out of himself at the breakdown.

    Too many changes for my liking but I trust Link.

  • 6.WP_: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 10:57 am

    extended bench???

    So basically 8 guys will run around and warm up, but only 7 on them can get on?

    Haha, weird concept…

  • 7.WP_: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 11:19 am

    @We are red(Redbull)-5: Saia is close to the best Aussie 2 around in my opinion, yup rate him better than Taf, but Hanson has also looked good off the bench, so im not surprised theyre resting Saia…

  • 8.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    7 Apr 2011, 15:12 pm

    Doesnt make a difference Tahs still by 10.

  • 9.DonutDunning: Reply to this comment
    8 Apr 2011, 04:21 am

    I can only think that the Force have moved O’Connor to 15 due to their outside back injury list (Inman, Mafi etc out already), as he has been the form Aussie 10 so far this season. Shepherd at 15 has been returning to form as well.
    Ripia can warm the bench for now imo.

    @WP_(WP_)-7: I can’t agree. Saia works hard in the loose but his lineout throws are erratic and his scrummaging is weak as he just isn’t big enough – he is a retreaded flanker, and essentially just a bulked-up version of his twin brother.

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