WP: Jean and Sireli at centre

2008-09-10 16:23

Cape Town - Western Province rugby fans are savouring the prospect of seeing the exciting Fijian international three-quarter Sireli Naqelevuki in a midfield pairing with Jean de Villiers in Saturday's Absa Currie Cup rugby clash against the Falcons at Newlands.

The injury to regular outside centre Gcobani Bobo, has forced WP coach Allister Coetzee to field a new midfield combination and although Naqelevuki is a regular wing, he turned in several impressive performances for Fiji at centre a weeks ago at the Pacific Nations Cup.

The expected return of Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery has not materialised as Coetzee feels he needs more rest before returning to Currie Cup duty and Conrad Jantjes will again do duty as No 15.

Naqelevuki's place on the wing goes to Wylie Human, while Morgan Newman moves onto the bench as the backline back-up.

Although the Falcons who were massacred 83-14 by the Lions last week are not expected to extend WP, Coetzee has decided against too many in changes to allow the returning Springboks to settle into his team's playing patterns.

Western Province: Conrad Jantjes; Tonderai Chavhanga, Sireli Naqelevuki, Jean de Villiers (captain), Wylie Human; Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie; Luke Watson, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, Wicus Blaauw.

Replacements - Deon Fourie, JC Kritzinger, AJ Venter, Nick Koster, Bolla Conradie, Joe Pietersen and Morgan Newman.

- SAPA