Queensland XV face 'red hot' Auckland
Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:50
Auckland has included 15-Test All Black Isaia Toeava and a number of Super 14 players in a strong squad to take on a Queensland selection in a pre-season trial match on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
The match is a selection trial for Auckland ahead of the Air New Zealand Cup provincial championship, while the Queensland XV will be a combination of professional and Premier League club players.
Former Wallaby David Croft is in the Queensland selection, along with Reds and Australia A forwards Leroy Houston and Tasi Luafutu.
Exciting young Reds centre Charlie Fetoai has been named captain of the Queensland side, which coach Damon Emtage said was a pointer to the future.
"There's a generational change under way in the Reds, so we need to find our future leaders from that generation. This is Charlie's opportunity to exercise the leadership qualities we know he has," Emtage said.
The match would also provide an opportunity for in form Premier players to perform at a higher level.
"All 10 Premier clubs will be represented in the squad and this game could not have gone ahead without the co-operation of the clubs, who recognise that their best players deserve the chance to show what they can do in this company," Emtage said.
He's expecting the home side to be given a stern test by the Kiwis, who he said have named a "red hot backline".
Auckland will be captained by prop Nick White, one of a number of players in the side with Super 14 experience.
Partnering Toeava in the centres will be Benson Stanley, while fullback Ben Atiga is another with Super 14 credentials.
The match will be played under the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) that are to be used in New Zealand's domestic competitions, which will be those that are being used in Premier League - in addition to allowing the collapsing of mauls and eliminating restrictions on numbers in the line-out.
Teams:
Queensland XV: 15 Aiden Toua, 14 Paul Doneley, 13 James Harvey, 12 Charlie Fetoai (captain), 11 Albert Vullivulli, 10 Ben Gollings, 9 Sean Armstrong, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 David Croft, 6 Dan Linde, 5 Shawn Mackay, 4 Will Munsie, 3 Shon Siemonek, 2 James Charalambous, 1 Sam Denny.
Replacements - from: Anthony Ongolea, Ryan McDonald, Charles Wyllie, Tasi Luafutu, Andrew Shaw, Mitch Francis/Flipper Manu, Brendan McKibbin, Matt Brandon, Luke Morahan, Jesse Mogg.
Auckland: 15 Ben Atiga, 14 Mikaele Pesamino, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Simon Munro, 10 Lachie Munro, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Pat Flavell, 6 Dean Budd, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Anthony Elisala, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Pauliasi Manu, 1 Nick White (captain).
Replacements - from: Charlie Faumuina, Stanley Haukinima, Silao Vaisola, Julien Palmer, Hamish Paterson, Winston Stanley, Mupa Tuipulotu,
Tony Wood, Ash Moeke.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Venue: Stockland Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Kick-off: 15.15 (05.15 GMT)
