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Four Wallabies named in Vikings squad
By Online Editors
A mixture of Wallabies, seasoned Super Rugby professionals and local club game talent headline the Canberra Vikings team set to undertake the 2019 National Rugby Championship.
Led by Head Coach Nick Scrivener, the Vikings, who reached the semi-final stage last season only to fall to the Fijian Drua in the Pacific Islands, have named a strong-looking group of players that includes full Wallabies internationals Tom Banks, Joe Powell, Pete Samu and Blake Enever.
There’s a real emphasis on youth amongst the group with promising young talent such as Junior Wallabies props Bo Abra and Angus Wagner, hooker Lachlan Lonergan, and backs Noah Lolesio, Bayley Kuenzle and Len Ikitau, set to take the tournament by storm.
“I’m very pleased with the balance of the squad that we have selected and am looking forward to the competition getting underway,” Scrivener said of the Vikings 2019 selection.
“There’s some very exciting young talent in the group, which should mix well with the players who have had experience of playing in Super Rugby. I’m also extremely exited by the prospect of seeing some of the local club players showing their quality at this level.”
Amongst those who have shone in the ACT club competition, the Griffin Legal John I Dent Cup, is scrumhalf, and Tuggeranong Vikings points-machine, Ryan Lonergan, Owls’ centre Irae Simone and Queanbeyan Whites Junior Wallabies lock Nick Frost.
Other club talent aiming to shine includes Jake Helgesen of Gungahlin Eagles, a former winner of the MacDougall Medal, Easts speedster George Morseu, Vikings centre Andrew Robinson and Queanbeyan Whites book-end Fred Kaihea.
SQUAD
Backs: Tom Banks, Mack Hansen, Len Ikitau, Bayley Kuenzle, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, George Morseu, Andrew Muirhead, Joe Powell, Toni Pulu, Andrew Robinson, Irae Simone, Seamus Smith, Tom Wright
Forwards: Angus Allen, Bowen Abra, Nick Dobson, Blake Enever, Nick Frost, Luke Gersekowski, Jake Helgesen, Fred Kaihea, Lachlan Lonergan, Tp Luteru, Connal Mcinerney, Will Miller, Tom Ross, Pete Samu, Levi Shaw, Jake Simeon, Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini, Angus Wagner
The Canberra Vikings National Rugby Championship challenge for 2019 will begin with a visit to Melbourne to take on the Rising this Saturday 31 August, and will include four home matches, all at Viking Park.
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Latest Comments
Excellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
Go to commentsFunny that I read this after watching last night's game where Matera packed down at openside every signle time. Jaguares also used to play with OS/BS flankers when he was with them. Of course, if he's at 8 or not involved, Pumas could do it the French way and put, let's say, Kremer on the right and Golzalez on the left. You're correct about Matera's tenure at Crusaders where he was mainly used at blindside but also at #8 on occasion as far as I remember. He has the frame and skillset to play whichever back row position he's put at, much like Ardie or Jack Willis or Pocock.
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