Clyde cracks a super start in comeback
14 Feb 2013
RICHARD FERGUSON updates Keo.co.za followers on the latest Super Rugby news from Australia.
Rathbone completes return to rugby
Clyde Rathbone has successfully completed a return to top class rugby after being selected in Jake White’s starting XV to take on the Reds.
Rathbone, who hasn’t played since 2009, being forced into retirement as a result of depression, starts on the wing in place of the talented Joseph Tomane, much to the surprise of the fans.
Ben Mowen will captain the side while David Pocock makes his debut for the side after signing from Force at the end of last season. The front row is an impressive combination of Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Dan Palmer.
Brumbies: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Clyde Rathbone, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8. Ben Mowen (Captain), 7. David Pocock, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Scott Fardy, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander. Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Ruaidhri Murphy, 18. Colby Faingaa, 19. Fotu Auelua, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Joseph Tomane, 22. Robbie Coleman.
Reds delay naming team
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has delayed naming his starting team to face the Brumbies this Saturday.
Instead, McKenzie named 23 players that will travel to Canberra and only confirm the team tomorrow. As reported, James Slipper will captain the team in the absence of regular captain James Horwill.
The Reds face a tough few rounds as they take on the Waratahs in the second round of matches, with Australian derby matches known to be close, tough encounters.
Reds Squad:
Forwards: Nigel Ah Wong, Albert Anae, Jarrad Butler, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Ed O’Donoghue, Eddie Quirk, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper (c), Adam Wallace-Harrison
Backs: Quade Cooper, Chris F’Sautia, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Dom Shipperley, Ben Tapuai (vc), Aidan Toua
8 Comments
14 Feb 2013, 10:02 am
Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has named a strong squad to face the Brumbies in their Super Rugby opening match in Canberra which is to be finalised on Friday.
The Reds have named 23 players who will travel to Canberra for their round one grudge match against the Brumbies.
Reds prop and 2012 Pilecki Medal winner James Slipper will captain Queensland in their 2013 season opener at Canberra Stadium, where the Reds will commence their season-long pursuit of a second Super Rugby championship in three years and third straight Australian Conference title.
The match will also be an opportunity for the Reds to build on their recent dominance over Australian Conference opposition with the Reds boasting an impressing winning record of 13 wins from 16 matches against national opposition since the beginning of 2011.
The Reds also claimed the prestigious Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time in 2012 after defeating the Brumbies in both regular season fixtures – 20-13 in round seven and 13-12 in round 14.
Director of Coaching Ewen McKenzie will finalise the makeup of his starting XV on Friday.
“Historically the Reds have performed poorly against the Brumbies but we’ve worked extremely hard over the past few seasons to change the reality and last year we were able to win the Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time,” McKenzie said.
“It isn’t as though we need any more motivation, but we worked too hard to secure it to just give it up easily. The fact that we’re also going into an Australian derby against one of our biggest rivals, away from home in round one, just adds to the occasion.
“We’ve seen and heard a lot about the success of the Brumbies’ preseason and their motivation for revenge. The reality for us is on each occasion we played the Brumbies in 2012 we won. Yet still the Brumbies are the bookmakers favourite to win.
“We don’t seek to be the underdogs and we don’t like it. All we can do is go down there and build on our recent record where we’ve won the past two games.
“We chose our team specifically to play this contest. We’ve been thinking about it for a long time. The players have known since Monday who and how we are going to do it and we’re happy to reveal the composition tomorrow.”
Following Saturday night’s match against the Brumbies the Reds will return home for the first time in 2013 when they take on historic rivals the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 23 February.
Reds Squad:
Forwards
Nigel Ah Wong, Albert Anae, Jarrad Butler, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Ed O’Donoghue, Eddie Quirk, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper (c), Adam Wallace-Harrison
Backs
Quade Cooper, Chris F’Sautia, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Dom Shipperley, Ben Tapuai (vc), Aidan Toua
14 Feb 2013, 10:08 am
Jake and his favorite blue eyed runaway boy.. could just be the straw that breaks his favoritism blinded back .. the fans don’t like it.. Jakey up to his favoring flavoring ways again.
14 Feb 2013, 10:11 am
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14 Feb 2013, 16:07 pm
That’s almost a full strength Brumbies team. Siding with the home team for this one I think.
14 Feb 2013, 18:50 pm
Is it just me or are there two Sili’s.
Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Ruaidhri Murphy, 18. Colby Faingaa, 19. Fotu Auelua, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Joseph Tomane, 22. Robbie Coleman.
15 Feb 2013, 10:19 am
Good luck to Clyde. His story is inspirational. Depression is no joke.
15 Feb 2013, 12:35 pm
Well done Rathbone
15 Feb 2013, 23:17 pm
Welcome back Rattles, great to have him back in the game.
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