Forgotten Wallaby Liam Gill will bolster a highly-physical Brisbane City pack aiming for a Gosford ambush in Friday night’s NRC semi-final against NSW Country.
Gill, completely overlooked by departed Test coach Ewen McKenzie this season, makes his return from a lingering neck/shoulder injury for his first game in four weeks.
The talented 15-Test flanker joins the in-form No.8 Jake Schatz, unlucky to miss selection for the European tour, and Curtis Browning in a formidable back-row.
Gill last played for the Wallabies in the 2013 spring tour but lost his place as Michael Hooper’s No.7 back-up to Matt Hodgson this year and was instead selected for Commonwealth Games sevens duties.
His return gives City, who finished third in the competition, a key weapon at the breakdown against the second-placed Eagles who are largely made up of Randwick and Easts Shute Shield players.
While on the road, Brisbane do boast a psychological edge after blitzing NSW Country early in their round four encounter before winning 34-26 in Lismore.
“We need to get our breakdown right, it’s been a little bit disappointing in the last few weeks,” said Eagles coach Darren Coleman. “They’ve got a bunch of guys, led by Liam Gill, that are brilliant on the ball and we will have to really work to counter that.”
City’s backline has been boosted by the return of damaging Reds centre Samu Kerevi but they have lost Lachie Turner (ankle) at fullback.
The Eagles boast Super Rugby-winning Waratahs Stephen Hoiles, Mitch Chapman and Brendan McKibbin as well as boom winger Andrew Kellaway.
The winner will book a place in next weekend’s decider where they will meet the victor of Saturday’s clash between minor premiers Melbourne Rising and Perth Spirit.
Although they are missing Wallabies tourists Sean McMahon, Tom English and Luke Jones, the unbeaten Rising will start as hot favourites at AAMI Park with a Rebels-laden line up.
D
Guest
He outplayed them all in the early rounds till he got injured. How easily everyone forgets how good he is because of an injury riddled year.
Trent
Guest
Pocock of old was certainly amazing. But I am hesitant to assume he will come back with the robust game that he had in the past after consecutive rebuilds on the same knee. 5 games in 2 years really gives us no idea as to how he will come back. I hope I'm wrong. But it's a long way back to the form he was in.
Trent
Guest
I agree with AndrewWA. He was 'overlooked' for selection because he really had no merit with his limited form to be selected. Being physically fit doesn't mean you walk back into the Wallabies because you have ben there before. I agree that the right 2 players were selected and their form was lightyears ahead of Gill this year. I too hope he has a great year and puts his hand up for the RWC. But I hope all eligible contenders have a cracking year so that competition is fierce for selections across the board!
dazza
Guest
LIAM Gill has really got a play the house down next year or he`ll never play for the wallabies again... HOOPER POCOCK HODGSON MCMAHON COTTRELL are in front of him now
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Except for when he was overlooked for selection when fit because Hodgson and Hooper are in better form.
rugby fan
Guest
I'd hate to say it but I think any future Test participation for Gill will be few and far between. Hooper and Pocock have the gold jersey stitched up. And now we have Mcmahon overtaking him in the pecking order. Not to mention Hodgson, Faingaa, Butler etc. Looked like an obvious choice as a long term wallaby 18 months ago. Not so now unfortunately. I'd expect to see him playing in Europe by 2016 or 2017.
AndrewWA
Guest
Liam Gill isn't the "forgotten man" and nor was he "overlooked by Ewen McKenzie". These comments here and in the SMH are simply incorrect! The tragedy is that Liam, a player, whom I rate very highly, struggled to keep himself on the paddock in 2014 with almost no game time for the Reds, got injured in Club Rugby and has barely been seen in the NRC. It's fantastic to see him back for the NRC finals. However, he was no more forgotten than Pocock was forgotten. Injuries simply made them both unavailable for Wallabies selection. I hope Liam has a cracking good year in 2015 and puts real pressure on being selected for the Wallaby RWC squad.
Rob G
Guest
Liam who?
El Gamba
Roar Guru
A great example of the importance of the nrc.