The university of Canberra Vikings have named a 37-man squad to compete in the inaugural year of the National Rugby Championship (NRC).
The side features players from all of the capitals seven Premier Grade clubs and also includes Wallabies Joe Tomane, Pat McCabe, Scott Sio, Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano – as well as recently selected but uncapped international Henry Speight.
In accordance with the ethos of the competition the Vikings have also selected promising up and comers Liam Slater, Tom Staniforth, Rowan Perry, Jake Rakic and Joe Powell among others.
Vikings head coach Dan McKellar noted the significance of the competition to Australian rugby stating: “It’s an exciting time for Australian rugby with the evolution of a third tier, which will inevitably give our Super Rugby and national sides more to work with.”
McKellar also said that he had been blessed with talented players to choose from:
“We’ve been spoiled for choice with the squad we’ve been able to select.
“There were some difficult decisions to make and some quality players have missed out, but I think mixing young guys like Rowan Perry and Joe Powell with more experienced players like Fotu Auelua and Robbie Coleman will only improve their game and give us something to think about as Brumbies coaches later down the track.”
The side will look to improve on a seventh place finish in the Australian Rugby Championship in 2007. One lock is still be confirmed.
Full Canberra Vikings Squad for 2014 NRC:
Forwards
Tight-head props: Ruan Smith (Eastern Suburbs), Allan Alaalatoa (Uni-Norths Owls), Les Makin (Queanbeyan Whites)
Hookers: Siliva Siliva (Royals), Seilala Lam (TBA), Mitch Wade (TBA)
Loose-head props: JP Smith (Queanbeyan Whites), Scott Sio (Tuggeranong Vikings), Sione Taula (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Locks: Sam Carter (Royals), Tom Staniforth (Royals), Dave McKern (Western Districts Lions), Gareth Clouston (Tuggeranong Vikings), (One more TBA)
Blind-side flankers/No.8s: Fotu Auelua (Western Districts Lions), Tim Cree (Tuggeranong Vikings), Jordan Smiler (Eastern Suburbs)
Open-side flankers: Jarrad Butler (Tuggeranong Vikings), Sean Doyle (TBA), Rowan Perry (Tuggeranong Vikings)Backs:
Scrumhalves: Michael Dowsett (Uni-Norths Owls), Joe Powell (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Fly-halves: Rod Iona (Tuggeranong Vikings), Isaac Thompson (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Wingers: Henry Speight (Gungahlin Eagles), Joe Tomane (Uni-Norths Owls), Jerome Nuimata (Tuggeranong Vikings), Drew Southwell (Western Districts Lions), Liam Slater (Royals)
Inside centres: Christian Lealiifano (Tuggeranong Vikings), Matt Hawke (Gungahlin Eagles), Pat McCabe (Western Districts Lions)
Outside centres: Nigel Ahwong (TBA), Jake Rakic (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Fullbacks: Robbie Coleman (Queanbeyan Whites), Jesse Mogg (Western Districts), Brendon Taueki (Tuggeranong Vikings)
2620
Guest
Very concerning - many fears of local players outside of Vikings are eventuating. Soon, no talented player will pick anywhere but Vikings, let alone Easts, Uni and the others perpetually stuck at the bottom. The comp is already poor, and will get poorer. Guys don't want to turn up week on week to get bludgeoned in an unbalanced comp - and there isn't much alternative to play socially except to play league. A strong rumour making the rounds involves the club colts competition potentially being down to just 4 teams. This should be ringing alarm bells - the game is stagnating badly locally, and a big reason is the ongoing status quo and the Brumbies being financially reliant on the Vikings.
jameswm
Guest
Yep I missed it because he was in the allocated Wallaby list not the squad list. The Easts roots.
Brett McKay
Expert
NSW Country, James...
jameswm
Guest
Can someone remind me who Toomua is listed as playing for? Not that he'll be available much.
Matt
Guest
Interesting to see Isaac Thompson there. He's a kiwi from Manawatu who played age grade level but battled with Aaron Cruden for game time at the Turbos. A very solid footballer and really flying under the radar for many Aussie fans. I imagine it'll be a competition that will throw up some great unknown talent and really vindicate itself from a player resource point of view.
Bakkies
Guest
Staniforth had a good under 20s JWC and debuted for the Brumbies this year.
Bakkies
Guest
The 4 Nations away matches will put more of a dent on the NRC as McKenzie will probably take 26 to 30 players away with him.
Bakkies
Guest
and part time Roarer!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
I'm glad to hear it. I'd be happier still if he took to the field, but I wouldn't ask him to reconsider his decision. Let's hope some of his expertise rubs off on the Viking players.
Johnno
Guest
And to add and be a bit nit picky, Dan Palmer only played 1 Wallaby Test.
Brett McKay
Expert
And here's something I'm bloody annoyed with myself for not remembering to post earlier: The Vikings mentioned today that coming on board as a scrum coach one or two days a week will be former Brumby, and now retired completely, Dan Palmer...
Bakkies
Guest
I thought that there would be more Queanbeyan players included given that they are a consistent club in the Dent Cup.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That would make a big difference. Lealiifano is listed at centre but as Markus says he can play 10 so that will add a lot of quality to the halves.
Selector
Guest
I bet that 1 lock to be confirmed will be Peter Kimlin. Looks good and fairly strong.
Markus
Guest
It's looking that way. And of the other capped Wallabies, even if not guaranteed starters it seems likely they will be regularly in our around the matchday 23 and thus unavailable. Carter may occasionally be available, and maybe Sio pending how Link sees him.
Boomeranga
Guest
Actually, I agree Jez. Perth in particular. Brisbane City might be quite strong based on the reaction to qld country today as well.
Brett McKay
Expert
Lealiifano might be a chance Markus, but McCabe seems firmly in McKenzie's plans at the moment..
Boomeranga
Guest
I read on GAGR months ago that he was training as a loosie/hooker for the tahs Nextgen team, but have not seen him play at 2.
Mike
Guest
Thanks. It will be interesting to see them in action.
Markus
Guest
And as a hooker too. Is that a recent position change?