Six HSBC Waratahs to take on New Zealand Maori
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Wednesday, 2 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Australia A will need to defeat New Zealand Maori in Sunday's IRB Pacific Nations Cup match at the Sydney Football Stadium to take out the tournament, with six HSBC Waratahs selected for the clash.
Sekope Kepu in action.
Sekope Kepu in action.
Prop Sekope Kepu, scrumhalf Brett Sheehan, flyhalf Daniel Halangahu and centre Timana Tahu will all start for Australia A, while backs Sam Norton-Knight and Matt Carraro have been named on the bench.
While Australia A sits two points ahead of New Zealand Maori after their opening four matches, a win for either side will be enough to take out the tournament.
"Everything is on the line this weekend and we have to go out there and finish the job," said Australia A coach Phil Mooney. "We've played well to this point, but that won't mean much if we can't rise to the occasion on Sunday.
"The Maori are a very good team but we're confident in our own abilities and strengths and we're hoping Sydney fans will come out and give us a true home ground advantage on Sunday."
In addition to the six Waratahs players featured in the Australia A lineup, the side also includes Southern Districts prop Guy Shepherdson, Sydney University lock Al Campbell, Northern Suburbs lock Peter Kimlin and Warringah's Mark Gerrard (fullback) and Salesi Ma'afu (reserve prop).
Tickets are available for the match through www.ticketek.com.au .
2008 IRB PACIFIC NATIONS CUP
AUSTRALIA A V NEW ZEALAND MAORI
Sunday, 6 July 2008 (Kick-off 2:00pm AEST)
Sydney Football Stadium
AUSTRALIA
1. Sekope Kepu (Randwick, HSBC Waratahs)
2. Sean Hardman (Reds)
3. Guy Shepherdson (Southern Districts, Brumbies)
4. Al Campbell (Sydney University, Brumbies)
5. Peter Kimlin (Northern Suburbs, Brumbies)
6. Hugh McMeniman (Reds)
7. Julian Salvi (Brumbies)
8. Richard Brown (Force)
9. Brett Sheehan (Warringah, HSBC Waratahs)
10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University, HSBC Waratahs)
11. Digby Ioane (Reds)
12. Timana Tahu (West Harbour, HSBC Waratahs)
13. Morgan Turinui [c] (Reds)
14. Drew Mitchell (Force)
15. Mark Gerrard (Warringah, Brumbies)
Reserves
16. John Ulugia (Brumbies)
17. Salesi Ma'afu (Warringah, Brumbies)
18. Van Humphries (Reds)
19. Leroy Houston (Reds)
20. Ben Lucas (Reds)
21. Sam Norton-Knight (Northern Suburbs, HSBC Waratahs)
22. Matt Carraro (Randwick, HSBC Waratahs)