The CA Brumbies have maintained an unchanged squad for the third successive week for their Investec Super 14 Week Three fixture against the Western Force at Canberra Stadium on Saturday, 28 February.
CA Brumbies website reports that scrumhalf Patrick Phibbs (cork), Clyde Rathbone (ankle), Francis Fainifo (head knock) and Stephen Hoiles (ankle) have been passed fit to play and will take the field for the competition’s first Australian derby in 2009.
It is the first time since Week Eight of the 2000 Super 12 that the CA Brumbies have maintained the same starting XV for three consecutive matches. It is the first time in the ACT province’s history they have selected an identical 22 for three consecutive games.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says he’s pleased to be able to run with an identical line-up through the first three rounds.
“It’s nice to be able to pick the same team for three weeks running,” he said. “These guys have got the job done for the first two games, they’re building combinations and building some momentum which is very important.
“We’re growing into our season but it’s attitude and character that gets you through these early stages and the guys have shown plenty of that. The side is improving across the board but we still have plenty of improvement left in us.”
The CA Brumbies sit third on the Investec Super 14 table having scored nine competition points in their first two rounds.
CA Brumbies v Western Force
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Brumbies
1. Nic Henderson, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Ben Hand, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Julian Salvi, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles (Capt), 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Stirling Mortlock, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Clyde Rathbone, 15. Mark Gerrard.
Reserves: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Ben Alexander, 18. Sitaleki Timani, 19. Peter Kimlin, 20. Joshua Holmes, 21. Matt Toomua, 22. Tyrone Smith
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Two from Two.
No changes to the team
Three from Three on the cards ESPECIALLY if you take all the issues at the Force into account.
Patrick Phibbs (cork) ❓
One of the most common injuries to the quadriceps is a cork thigh, or a thigh haemotoma. This injury is particularly common in athletes who participate competitive sports with a high degree of physical contact.
You learn something new everyday… 🙄
Seems to be more of an Aussie term.
@McLovin (Comment 4) :
yeah we calm it a “lamie”
Good to see Aussie Clyde back.