Here we are at the sharp end of the Super 14 trial phase and we’ve whittled down the contestants like an audition for So You Think You Can Dance.
The final trial between the Queensland Reds and the Western Force gets underway in Perth tomorrow night at ME Bank Stadium, a potential sandgroper version of the House of Pain.
Winning at home has been painful sometimes for the Force over the past four years but they’re hoping the move to their new rectangular stadium will bring with it a cauldron-like atmosphere and a change of luck.
I think the reality of this trial is that there’d be few positions up for grabs in both teams for next week’s Super 14 opener.
For the Force, there’s no appearance due to injury of André Pretorius, Haig Sare, Ryan Cross, Ryan Tyrell and of course Nick Cummins.
Why would they play Pretorius and risk their injury-prone marquee signing? They’ll be carefully managing him throughout the season, I have no doubt about that.
I’d imagine in the forwards the only spots up for grabs would be in finalising the props and hooker. Whittaker would have the early running due to Tyrell’s injury – Cowan is the reserve hooker tomorrow.
James Parsons, a Kiwi hooker from NPC side North Harbour, who has been over trialling for a development spot won’t be signed. He has a contractual dispute with his province and has never actually been a free agent.
I’d think Cowan and Dunning might have the starting prop positions sown up but it looks a pretty competitive race.
In the backs it’s all about James. It will depend on which position Rabbit is selected in as to the makeup of the backline. There are early signs that it could be at fullback but I think that would seriously deplete their attacking capacity.
Tomorrow, we’ll see Josh Tatupu, Mitch Inman and perhaps Sam Harris trial in the centres and they have three options at five eighths – Bartholomeusz, Harris again and Stefano Hunt (another young Queensland product).
For the Reds, Link has thrown a spanner in the works and named Big Kev Horwill on the flank. There’s been a lot of talk about his speed and athleticism, and wanting to get him more involved but I think its all a load of old bollocks.
I think they’re trying to decide who’s going to be his locking partner with Adam Byrnes finally stepping up and challenging Van Humphries.
They also want Kev on the park because he needs game time and he’s the bloody captain. Simple analysis, don’t you think?
Hanson is playing for a bench spot against Saia Faingaa, who’s turning out for the Seconds on Saturday. This will be a make or break season for Faingaa the Older.
I can’t see them going past Ezra Taylor, Higgo and Braid as their starting loose trio next week. The props also appear settled in Daley and Chubby Cheeks.
In the backs, it’s looking close to the real deal except I doubt Rodney Davies will last, especially with his paper-thin defence.
I think Morgan Turunui is vying with Faingaa the Younger for the inside centre position unless they move Diggers back to the wing.
Will Chambers is also playing in the Seconds and needs plenty of game time to get up to speed. I thought he might be a starting wing option but maybe later?
This is the most meaningful trial to date for these two sides and a reasonable entree as to form and selection as we countdown to Season 2010.
Western Force
Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Nic Henderson, Matt Hodgson, Tim Fairbrother, Kieran Longbottom, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe (c), Richard Stanford, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.
Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Sam Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Stefano Hunt, Mitch Inman, James O’Connor, Chris O’Young, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Josh Tatupu.
Queensland Reds
Backs: Peter Hynes, Luke Morahan, Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa, Rod Davies, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (vc),
Forwards: Ezra Taylor, Daniel Braid, James Horwill (c), Van Humphries, Adam Byrnes, Laurie Weeks, James Hanson, Greg Holmes.
Reserves: Ben Daley, Sean Hardman, James Slipper, Robert Simmons, Scott Higginbotham, Richard Kingi, Ben Lucas, Morgan Turinui, Blair Connor.
