GREAT BRITAIN Armed Forces head coach Damian Clayton has announced his first team selection for the opening Australia tour clash against a Queensland Combined University side tonight (July 3).
Looking to field 20 of his 21 squad for the first game of the two-game tour, Clayton said experience was key
“We have some good experience in our side and some very good players,” Clayton said.
“I am certain of partnerships in some areas, but will be using the game as a chance to see how others work.”
The team will take to the Bishop Park (home to the North Devils Intrust Super Cup team) for the late afternoon kick off, knowing they are in for a tough encounter.
“This will be tough for us, this is a formidable side, who will obviously want to beat the Brits or POMs in their own back yard,” Clayton said.
“From now until kick off, I will be mulling over whether to start certain players, or increase their impact by bringing them on.
“It’s all part of the overall tour that we have increased the intensity of training, before levelling off in time for this game and then the main fixture at the Suncorp next Wednesday.
“All roads lead to that Suncorp game, but we will be fully focused for this game, as it will be a great opportunity for the players to stand up and for me to run the rule over some knocks and niggles and it will also be another test for what in my opinion is a well bonded and balanced squad of players.”
The team is as follows:
1. Corporal James Hutchinson (c)
2. Cpl Simon Wray
3. Cpl Dave Hankinson
4. Logs Siliv Buinimasi
5. Cpl Mike Harrison
6. AB Ryan Matthews
7. Sgt Garry Dunn
8. SAC Josh Scott
9. CPO Kev Botwood
10. Capt Tom Howey
11. LAET Ben Taylor
12. SAC Jordan Andrade
13. Csgt Jordan Kerman
14. SAC Lee Davies
15. LAET Mark Robinson
16. AET Tommy Wilkinson
17. Sapper Vuli Veikune
18. Cpl Lee Queeley
19. SAC Liam Bradley
20. MNE Tom Loxam
**This game is in preparation for next Wednesday's game between the Great Britain Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force at Suncorp Stadium. The game will be played as a curtain-raiser to State of Origin Game III. The Armed Forces game will kick off at 4.10pm
To keep up to date with the touring side, thvisit the GB Armed Forces Facebook page or at the RAF News Twitter page: rafnewssport
You can view the Queensland Universities Residents team HERE.
