Thursday Rugby News – Rugby Green and Gold

BIG NAMES BACK FOR THE GREAT DERBY

The Rebels and Reds have listed some big name inclusions in what will become an important match for both clubs. The rebels need this victory to maintain their hopes for the final and both clubs want to make up for their losses last week.

The Reds welcome Wallaby Lock Izack Rodda, who missed a lot when the Red Devils went down to the Auckland Blues. Caleb Timu returns to the starting team, pushing Lukhan Tui on the bench. Not the worst headache for Brad Thorn.

Difficult calls came in trying to replace the injured Samu Kerevi, with 18-year-old Jordan Petaia pulling on the jersey 13. Filipo Daugunu, another freshman, replaces Petaia on the right wing.

"It's really disappointing to lose Samu Kerevi because of an injury.He has been in excellent form all year," coach Brad Thorn said.

"We had a few injuries to this post, with Chris Feauai-Sautia, Izaia Perese and Ben Lucas, but saying that, this is an opportunity for Jordan Petaia.

" He did a fantastic job in his first year of Super Rugby at the age of 18

Pbading to Melbourne Men, with Marika Koroibete, Tetera Faulkner and Jermaine Ainsley is back in the starting team and Richard & # 39; Dickie & # 39; Hardwick arrives on the bench.

Koroibete was eliminated last week, pulling out the day of the Tahs clash due to spasms on the back. His departure pushes Super Sefa Niavalu on the bench. Faulkner returns to the starting team after a long period of injury. his return pushes Ben Daly out of match day 23.

The match is important for the rebels, not only are they looking to make the finals yet, they are looking to break the record of 8 clubs by grabbing their ninth for the season . Flanker Colby Fainga is ready to celebrate his 100th cap Super Rugby.

"100 games at all levels are a fantastic achievement, but to do so in the toughest provincial rugby tournament in the world, is a testament to the quality of the Colby character and player. "We are here to win, and we hope we can make Friday night a special moment for him." Dave Wessels, Melbourne Rebels head coach, said: "We are here to win Rugby matches, continue to build on the improvement of the past two months and do something really special with this group of players. "

Reds Squad

1. JP Smith 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Izack Rodda 5. Kane Douglas 6. Caleb Timu 7. George Smith 8. Scott Higginbotham (C) 9. Moses Sorovi 10. Hamish Stewart 11. Eto Nabuli 12. Duncan Paia & # 39; aua 13. Jordan Petaia 14. Filipo Daugunu 15. Jono Lance16. Alex Mafi 17. Harry Hoopert 18. Ruan Smith 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Angus Scott-Young 21. Tate McDermott22. Teti Tela 23. Aidan Toua

Rebel Squad

1. Tetera Faulkner 2. Anaru Rangi 3. Jermaine Ainsley 4. Matt Philip 5. Geoff Parling 6. Angus Cottrell 7. Colby Fainga 8. Amanaki Mafi 9. Michael Ruru 10. Reece Hodge 11. Marika Koroibete 12. Billy Meakes 13. Tom English (C) 14. Jack Maddocks 15. Dane Haylett-Petty 16. Nathan Charles 17. Fereti Sa & Aga 18. Sam Talakai 19. Ross Haylett-Petty 20. Richard Hardwick 21. Harrison Goddard 22. Jack Debreczeni 23. Sefa Naivalu

NRC FIXTURE ANNOUNCEMENT

In less than two months, NRC will return for its fifth season with a few twists and a stroke to try to build the competition . The 8-team competition will consist of seven Australian teams and one Fijian.

This year, NRC will seek to build a traditional rivalry between NSW Country and Sydney, similar to that established by Queensland between Brisbane City and Queensland Country, and host the Western Force that will replace the Perth Spirit after its World Series Rugby campaign.

For all those who have Foxtel Sports or live streaming Fox Sports, you can watch two games on weekends. on TV and live the other two through the Fox Sports app or online.

Sydney will only have one team this year, who will play at home at Leichhardt Oval, Woollahra Oval and Concord Oval.

The Melbourne Rising He will play in Melbourne (Southern Rising maybe?), But will play at Geelong, Ballarat and a home match against Brisbane City in Adelaide.

NSW Country home games will be played in Mudgee, Armidale and Camden. The rivalry between Country and City will begin on September 19th with a midweek game .

Brisbane City will turn to rugby fields of local clubs to play Norths, Wests and Easts Rugby Clubs

Defending champions, Queensland Country, will seek to maintain their home playing status in Townsville, Mackay and on the Gold Coast

The Canberra Vikings will keep their namesake stadium of Viking Park for their home games.

Western Force will now be the Western Australia based team, replacing the spirit of Perth. After their stint at the World Series Rugby, the Perth team will use UWA Sports Park as a playground.

Fiji Drua will host the Rising at the season opener in Suva, and get its rebroadcast in the final against the winners of previous seasons, Queensland Country

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said: "The particularity of the NRC is that the quality of rugby has increased each season and there are exciting changes this year to establish the connection with the fans. It's also a great opportunity for Super Rugby players to share their experiences with promising young talents.

"A great tradition has been revived in New South Wales with the return of rivalry between city and country, which has been successful Queensland through the first four years of the competition.

"A strong Western force team will enter the competition at the back of its World Series Rugby campaign and supporters from Adelaide and Townsville will also see NRC games. "Being accessible to the community is the key to NRC's success and it's good to see many teams taking the initiative to spread their home games and give more fans the opportunity"

" We also thank FOX SPORTS for its continued support of NRC by providing access to all Australians to support the competition through its television.

It will be interesting to see crowds this year, given the displacement of these teams, it would be difficult to go to every home game to support your club unless you are in WA or ACT. 19659007] View full table here

HUTCHINSON BACK IN SEVENS FOLD

Aussie Sevens coach Tim Walsh hopes that he will receive Melbourne Rebel and Olympian's Rio, Henry Hutchinson, Hutchinson signed a two-year contract with the Rebels but struggled to find time in Super Rugby. Hutchinson recently coaches with the rugby team, indicating that he may have been released by the rebels according to Rugby.com.au

Walsh believes that Hutch's time with the rebels have helped develop a player and a person.

"As a person, he grew up, but he is still early

" The experience that he would probably have had in a Super Club among world-clbad players who were veterans . for years on the international scene, he would have picked up a lot of precious things out there being ruthless, professional and just that detail, which is great.

"So, I think he's probably a rounder and mature player"

Hutch came to choose a team that has incredible depth in his last three places.With the two Fijian Flyers in Koroibete and Naivalu, the rising star Maddocks and DHP would be a tough team to break in. With Semisi Tupou in favor and Hodge and Debreczeni able to play at the back, it would still be difficult for the young Hutch to get a game

I hope that he will be able to focus on his playing skills during this period and help meet the needs. "Rugby has talented young gaming leaders in the '15s.

Rugby World Cup begins July 20 ^at at AT & T Park in San Francisco

NRC NO CARDS FOR COOPER OR HUNTING

It appears that Quade Cooper has Core less love to Queensland than the first, with Mick Heenan, Brisbane City coach, who claims that there is not much logic to choose Cooper or Karmichael Hunting this season from NRC

The offside Cooper and the disgraced Hunt were neglected all season, after coach Brad Thorn said he was going in a different direction in an effort to rebuild the Reds. It now seems that they will not find their time playing for Brisbane.

"I'm just waiting for a few people to find out how all this will be played out," Heenan told Rugby.com.

"I do not know yet what is the contractual situation and whether they will be there or not." 19659007 "" Obviously, NRC is a development path for the Reds and if these guys are not involved there, Nick Frisby is back from his overseas stay and would also be eligible, but we think that There are other clubs interested in his talents who will see his contract. 19659007] The QRU has not made any statements regarding the selection of unwanted players, it is believed that they will leave NRC coaches to choose the team they want, as they do. Have done in previous years. No word on whether Queensland Country will seek to use James Slipper in their 2018 campaign after he's been suspended and virtually removed from Thorn's team.