Injuries force changes to HSBC Junior Waratahs Fiji squad
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Tuesday, 30 September 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
Injuries have forced a number of changes ahead of the HSBC Junior Waratahs tour of Fiji which begins later this week.
HSBC Junior Waratahs - 2008 Development Tour of Fiji.
HSBC Junior Waratahs - 2008 Development Tour of Fiji.
HSBC Junior Waratahs
HSBC Junior Waratahs
Scrumhalf Nathan Sievert suffered a shoulder injury in the first training session which he has failed to recover from, which sees Gordon No.9 Vinnie Byrne join the squad.
Byrne's teammate Ofa Fainga'anuku however has had to withdraw from the tour with a hamstring tear, with his place being taken by Eastern Suburbs prop Aaron Tawera.
Waratah lock Will Caldwell has also been forced to pull out of the tour, replaced by exciting Eastwood forward Lachlan McCaffrey.
Sydney University wing Ed Jenkins has proved his fitness and will take his place in the team, while Ken Catchpole Medallist Scott Fardy has capped an impressive season by being added to the squad.
Head Coach Chris Hickey said that despite the setbacks with a number of players, there is still an impressive squad which will be well-prepared for the two-match tour.
"Injuries are a part of the game and when you have a short preparation they can be fairly disruptive," said Hickey. "However the guys have been training extremely hard since coming together last week and the team atmosphere is building really well, so I'm confident the group of guys we have together are going to be ready to get the job done when we hop on the plane later this week."
The HSBC Junior Waratahs fly to Fiji on Saturday before their first match against Nadi on Monday.
HSBC JUNIOR WARATAHS SQUAD
2008 Development Tour of Fiji
Backs: Ben Batger (Eastwood), Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs), Vinnie Byrne (Gordon), Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), Ed Jenkins (Sydney University), Mitch Inman (Sydney University), Rowan Kellam (Eastwood), Ratu Nasiganiyavi (Randwick), Sam Norton-Knight (Northern Suburbs), Andrew Smith (Northern Suburbs), Jeremy Su'a (Penrith), David Tautaiolefue (West Harbour).
Forwards: Ben Coridas (Eastwood), Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), Scott Fardy (Warringah), Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), Elvis Levi (Penrith), Steve Mafi (Parramatta), Lachlan McCaffrey (Eastwood), Rob McMicken (Eastern Suburbs), Ben Mowen (Randwick), Dan Palmer (Southern Districts), Beau Robinson (Warringah), Aaron Tawera (Eastern Suburbs), Chris Thomson (Northern Suburbs), Jeremy Tilse (Sydney University).
Tour Schedule
Saturday 4 October - Squad departs for Nadi, Fiji
Monday 6 October - HSBC Junior Waratahs v Nadi at Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Wednesday 8 October - Coaching clinic
Saturday 11 October - HSBC Junior Waratahs v Fiji Warriors at Churchill Park, Lautoka
Monday 13 October - Squad departs for Sydney