Thorn ready for Bond University Queensland Country debut in Sydney

Sep 22 • General News, International • 1020 Views • Comments Off on Thorn ready for Bond University Queensland Country debut in Sydney

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Former Rugby World Cup winning All Black Brad Thorn is in line for a his potential Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) and Bond University Queensland Country debut, after being named in the Country reserves for their Round 5 match against the Western Sydney Rams.

The match, to be played at Sydney’s Concord Oval, will be Thorn’s first in the NRC, after being named in a coach/player role ahead of the season.

While Thorn comes into the side, Country will be without regular openside flanker Conor Mitchell, after becoming the newest member of the Australian Men’s Sevens Squad. Mitchell will make the move to Sydney to begin pre-season training ahead of the 2016/2017 World Sevens Series.

Head coach Toutai Kefu said: “It’s great to welcome a player of Brad Thorn’s calibre into the team. He has been excellent in his role as assistant coach and the players are all really looking forward to having the chance to play alongside him.

“While Brad comes into the side, we unfortunately lose Conor, but his selection in the Australian Sevens program is testament to his performances both in 2015 and 2016 for Country.

“The purpose of the NRC is to further develop players and provide them with opportunities at the highest levels and Conor is deserving of a chance to test himself at the next level having been one of our most consistent performers.”

St George product Maclean Jones has been tasked with taking over the openside flanker role from Mitchell. The only other change to the starting forward pack will see Taniela Tupou start at tight-head prop.

In the backs, James Tuttle will return to starting scrumhalf and will resume his captaincy duties, while Mack Mason will start in the 10 jersey with Mitch Third moving to the reserves.

Tyrone Lefau will move into the centres after appearing on the wing against Perth Spirit, with regular outside centre Izaia Perese unavailable for the Round 5 encounter. Tom Pincus will earn his second start of the season on the wing.

On the bench, Australian U20s and Easts Tigers prop Richie Asiata is also in line for his potential Queensland Country and NRC debut. 2015 Queensland Country representatives Scott Maloula and Matt Gordon have also been called into reserves for their first appearances of 2016.

Queensland Country play the Western Sydney Rams at 3:00pm (AEST) on Saturday . The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.

Bond University Queensland Country side to play the Western Sydney Rams, Concord Oval, 3:00pm AEST, Saturday 24 September:

Sef Fa’agase – Reds/University of Queensland/Beaudesert
Alex Casey – Souths
Taniela Tupou – Reds/Brothers
Izack Rodda – Queensland U20s/Easts
Phil Potgieter – University of Queensland/Toowoomba
Ted Postal – Brothers/Townsville
Maclean Jones – Queensland U20s/University of Queensland/St George
Angus Scott-Young – Queensland U20s/University of Queensland
James Tuttle (C) – Reds/GPS
Mack Mason – Queensland U20s/Easts/Mitchell
Liam McNamara – Queensland U20s/Sunnybank
Duncan Paia’aua – Reds/Norths/Rockhampton
Tyrone Lefau – Wests
Tom Pincus – University of Queensland/Gold Coast
Tom Banks – Reds/University of Queensland

Reserves

Feleti Kaitu’u – GPS
Richie Asiata – Queensland U20s/Easts (Potential Queensland Country and NRC debut)
Kirwan Sanday – Easts
Brad Thorn – GPS (Potential Queensland Country and NRC debut)
Jack Cornelsen – University of Queensland/Gold Coast
Scott Malolua – Souths
Mitch Third – Bond University/Gold Coast
Matt Gordon – Easts/Toowoomba