Houston, we have a problem
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:57
Queensland Reds No. 8 Leroy Houston has been called up to the starting line-up for Australia A for the Pacific Nations Cup title decider against the New Zealand (NZ) Maori.
The 1.89m, 117kg, 21-year-old has been called up to replace fellow Queensland Reds loose forward Hugh McMeniman, who has been called up to the Wallabies due to Nathan Sharpe being ruled out of Saturday's Test against France in Brisbane due to a groin injury suffered in training.
Houston's elevation sees a re-shuffling of the back row with Western Force flank Richard Brown moving from No. 8 to openside flank.
The Brumbies' Mitchell Chapman, who impressed during the Super 14, has been called up as cover on the bench but he may not be required depending on how much game time McMeniman has for the Wallabies.
"Mitchell's been placed on the bench," explained Australia A coach Phil Mooney
"But if Hugh doesn't have more than twenty minutes on the field against France for the Wallabies he'll fly back from Brisbane to Sydney on Sunday morning and take his spot on the bench for us.
"So we have bracketed Mitchell and Hugh on the bench for that reason," Mooney added.
The fifth round International Rugby Board (IRB) Pacific Nations Cup decider kicks off at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Australia A: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Morgan Turinui (captain), 12 Timana Tahu, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Richard Brown, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Al Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Van Humphries, 19 Hugh McMeniman/Mitchell Chapman, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Sam Norton-Knight, 22 Matt Carraro.
Date: Sunday, July 6
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 14.05 (04.00 GMT)
Referee: James Bolabiu (Fiji)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)
