Cockatoos looking to sting Mosquitoes
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Friday, 23 May 2008
NSWCRU Media Release
The NSW Country Cockatoos play host to the Darwin Mosquitoes at Woonona this Saturday, and will be looking to maintaining their winning sequence in the 2008 Australian Rugby Shield.
Australian Rugby Shield
Australian Rugby Shield
Over the last two seasons in Darwin the Cockatoos have struggled against the Mosquitoes, but a return to the cooler southern weather will suit the Cockatoos in their quest for a third straight victory this year.
The match is very important for both teams, with the Cockatoos keen to maintain their unbeaten record and claim favouritism for the Australian Rugby Shield Title, while the Mosquitoes must win to keep in touch on the tight competition table.
The Cockatoos will field the same twenty two which accounted for Queensland Country in Warren last week, with the only change being Fergus McIntosh switching with David Greig at loose head prop.
The win over Queensland Country has seen the Cockatoos close the gap on the Blue Heelers to two points on the competition table, but they have a match in hand having had the bye in the first round of the shield.
Whilst the win over Queensland Country was pleasing, the Australian Rugby Shield is evenly poised and the Cockatoos must maintain the momentum to take out the shield.
Cockatoo Coach Paul Verrell is expecting a hard match "the Mosquitoes have caused us a few problems over the last two years, this match is make or break for them and they won't be holding anything in reserve".
He went onto say "the new look Cockatoos had started to mould into a very good team, and this weekend's match could be the one when they really hit their straps".
2008 AUSTRALIAN RUGBY SHIELD - ROUND 4
NSW Country Cockatoos v Darwin Mosquitoes
Saturday, 24 May 2008 (Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST)
Ocean Park, Woonona NSW
1. Fergus McIntosh (Inverell)
2. Mick Lee (Newcastle Wanderers)
3. Liam Vaughan (Bowral)
4. Adam Winter (Avoca Beach)
5. Matt Dun (Newcastle University)
6. Gavin Holder (Camden)
7. John Norton (Terrigal)
8. Mike Te Moana (Armidale)
9. Luke Sullivan (Terrigal)
10. Paul Dan (Hamilton)
11. David Kennedy (Newcastle University)
12. Richie Steel (Warren)
13. Heath Riggs (Moree)
14. Marcus Simpson (Newcastle Wanderers)
15. Blake Creighton (Merewether Carlton)
Reserves
16. Josh Tremain (Orange City)
17. David Greig (Warren)
18. Tom Cullen (St Alberts College)
19. Adam Dwyer (Bathurst)
20. Tom Hollis (St Alberts College)
21. Luke Brown (Narromine)
22. Dwayne De Vries (Woonona Shamrocks)