Four former Whitehaven stars set to start for Scotland
Last updated 12:15, Tuesday, 04 November 2008
Four ex-Whitehaven players have been named in Scotland boss Steve McCormack’s starting team for tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Fiji in Gosford.
McCormack has made eight positional changes to the side beaten 36-18 byFrance at Canberra Stadium in their opening pool game.
Mick Nanyn, Haven’s record points scorer in a season and now with Harlequins, has moved from the bench to start at centre.
Former Haven forward Oliver Wilkes is also promoted to start the must-win match. Stand-off John Duffy and back-rower Iain Morrison retain their positions.
Winger Wade Liddell, centre Gareth Morton and prop Neil Lowe are the fresh faces in the team, which need to win by at least 28 points to secure a place in next week’s semi-final play-offs.
“We’ve got a quality squad and some of the players who have trained really well deserve their chance,” said McCormack, a former Recre boss.
“Some didn’t perform against France and that’s what happens. We make changes as we see fit.
“We need to be a bit more physical and dogged than we were against the French. Since that loss, our preparation for this match has been excellent and the boys are really looking forward to the challenge.”
Fiji are without Canterbury Bulldogs centre Daryl Millard but boast a potent back three in Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne, Bradford winger Semi Tadulala and Newcastle Knights flier Akuila Uate, who bagged a hat-trick in their opening 42-6 win over France.
Scotland: Michael Robertson, Wade Liddell, Mick Nanyn, Kevin Henderson, Jon Steel, John Duffy, Danny Brough, Oliver Wilkes, Ben Fisher, Scott Logan, Chris Armit, Iain Morrison, Ian Henderson. Subs: Gareth Morton, Andrew Henderson, Neil Lowe, Paul Jackson.
