CONTINUITY hasn’t been on Orange Emus’ side so far in the 2015 Blowes Clothing Cup, with the greens yet to field the same starting XV in consecutive weeks.
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Emus will roll out a substantially different side in Saturday’s tough road trip to Mudgee than the one that defeated Cowra 26-18 last weekend at Endeavour Oval.
Injuries and unavailability are becoming an unwelcome trend for co-coaches Paul Ringland and Graydon Staniforth, and the latter said as such his side needed to simplify the way it played against a rejuvenated Wombats side.
“From what I hear Mudgee are a very good side, with good forwards and a slick backline, so our guys really need to perform,” Staniforth said.
“A big 80-minute defensive effort is necessary, and I think to do that we’ll have to rein in the way we’ve been playing and be a bit more direct with the ball in hand.”
Regular five-eighth Adam Perri is away on NSW Country Colts duty and will be replaced by TJ Cunynghame, while skipper Nigel Staniforth faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with injury.
Barnstorming No.8 Rob Thorburn has been named to partner the returning Simon Badgery in the centres as a result. Alo Finau will slide back to No.8 from the second row to replace Thorburn, with Sam McLean taking Finau’s vacant lock spot.
VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Matt Findlay preview Saturday's Blowes Clothing Cup games:
Matt Findlay replaces Feleti Fosio in the front row, while in the biggest move speedster Carter Hirini will don the No.9 to fill in for the unavailable Seb Backhouse.
“Carter started out as a halfback, so it’s not entirely unfamiliar for him,” Staniforth said.
“Considering we’ve been fielding different sides week in, week out, it’s pretty encouraging to still be winning these games.
“It really shows off our depth. But [tomorrow] we need to start well. That’s been a problem, aside from our game against Forbes.
“With a very different team, a good start is crucial.”
Emus take on Mudgee at Jubilee Oval - affectionately known as The Burrow to the Wombats’ faithful - from 3.15pm.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Matt Findlay, 2 Keith Howarth, 3 Nas Havealeta, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Sam McLean, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Scott Udy, 8 Alo Finau, 9 Carter Hirini, 10 TJ Cunynghame, 11 Michael Mann, 12 Rob Thorburn, 13 Simon Badgery, 14 Tom Green, 15 Isaac White.