Australian Super Rugby franchises are all gearing up for Super Rugby 2014, with their plans and preparations taking shape.
The Reds have named a Wallaby-strewn side to face the Chiefs on Saturday.
The Waratahs have given Bernard Foley the nod at flyhalf and have moved Kurtley Beale to fullback for their warm-up encounter against the Blues on Friday.
Reds:
Reds coach Richard Graham has named his strongest possible team for their first pre-season match against the Chiefs in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Of the 9 Reds players from the Wallabies year-end tour, 8 have been named to start the game against the Chiefs.
Wallabies Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, James Horwill, Liam Gill, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Mike Harris will start the game, with Chris Feauai-Sautia likely to play at least half a game from the bench.
The match will also feature five new players to Reds colours, with former Waratahs and Wallabies flyer Lachie Turner, Dave McDuling, Chris Kuridrani, Samuela Kerevi and Jonah Placid all named as reserves in their first match for the Reds.
With 4 months of pre-season training in the tank, Graham said the team is looking forward to finally taking the field.
“After 4 months of pre-season, it’s good to finally arrive at this point,” Graham said.
“It’s pleasing to see all of our players fit and keen to play the Chiefs this weekend.
“We’ve had a long pre-season and worked on a lot of different aspects of our game. This weekend’s game is the first of 2014 and provides an opportunity to work on all the technical and tactical aspects we’ve touched on in pre-season.
“We’re playing the reigning, two-time Super Rugby champions. It will allow us to continue developing combinations and test our players in match conditions,” he added.
Graham said he was impressed with the way the squad has come together throughout the pre-season.
“It’s a credit to the work ethic of the entire squad. We have a group that wants to be around each other, want to improve and enjoys the competitive training environment,” Graham said.
The pre-season match will feature 20-minute quarters, with both sides fielding 28-man squads with unlimited interchange.
This weekend’s match is the first of two pre-season fixtures for the Reds, with their second clash coming against the Rebels at Ballymore Stadium next Friday, 14 February.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (Captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 1 Ben Daley
Replacements: 16 Greg Holmes, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Jono Owen, 19 Ed O’Donoghue, 20 Blake Enever, 21 Dave McDuling, 22 Curtis Browning, 23 Nick Frisby, 24 Chris Kuridrani, 25 Samuela Kerevi, 26 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 27 Rod Davies, 28 Jonah Placid.
Date: Saturday 8 February
Venue: Toowoomba Sports Ground
Kick-off: 18:30 AEDT (0:.30 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia), Paul Haydock (Australia)
Waratahs:
Bernard Foley will start at flyhalf for the Waratahs opposite the Blues’ Benji Marshall with Kurtley Beale at fullback when the teams meet in Sydney on Friday.
With Wallaby fullback Israel Folau starting on the bench, Foley has a chance to show that he deserves the playmaker role this season ahead of the versatile Beale when he goes up against former Rugby League star Marshall.
Foley said that he is determined to make this opportunity count as he states his case to start ahead of Beale at flyhalf this season.
“You want to take it with both hands. Friday night is the first step to putting my foot forward and trying to cement that spot,” Foley said.
“(Kurtley) is a wonderful player … to have him breathing down my back is a great challenge for myself. It’s the reason why you play competitive sport,” he added.
Beale and fellow Waratahs newcomers Nick Phipps (scrumhalf), Jono Lance (centre) and Matt Carraro (wing) have all been given a chance to start by coach Michael Cheika in the pre-season clash against the Blues, whilst the side will be captained by the experienced Dave Dennis.
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Matthew Carraro, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Jono Lance, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Pat McCutcheon, 6 Dave Dennis (Captain), 5 Will Skelton, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: TBC.
Date: Friday 7 February
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 19:40 AEDT (09:40 GMT)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)