MELBOURNE RISING ANNOUNCE PLAYING SQUAD

The Melbourne Rising have announced their 33-man playing squad for the 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC)

The Melbourne Rising, Melbourne's newest sporting team, was officially launched today following the naming of the inaugural squad.

The squad for the 2014 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) features an allocation of Rebels and local Dewar Shield players selected from an extended training squad who have spent nearly two months under the Rising program already.

Melbourne Rising Head Coach Sean Hedger believes that the squad are capable of success in the new competition, and is pleased with the final make-up.

"We've had the opportunity to watch these local players as part of the Extended Training Squad, and are very pleased with the abilities of those selected," Hedger said. "Indeed, we have had to leave out a number of players who really impressed us.

"Selecting the final squad was a difficult task, however we are confident that the Rebels and Dewar Shield players selected are all more than capable of being a major force in this competition. It's a wonderful opportunity for every member of the squad, and I'm looking forward to getting started."

The Rebels allocation features an even spread across positions, and a great mix of both youth and experience. For the younger Rebels, the NRC provides them with the opportunity to gain greater exposure playing against hardened senior Rugby bodies, while the more experienced Rebels will prove valuable assets in assisting with the development of their teammates.

The Dewar Shield players selected in the Rising squad mirror those Rebels selections, in that there is a mix of experience and youth spread evenly across all positions. Former Rebel and Wallaby Lloyd Johansson's outstanding form sees him selected, while the likes of Joe Kamana and Martin Naufahu are also called up having impressed as part of the Rebels' pre-season schedule in 2014, where both were named in matchday squads and Kamana played against the Waratahs.

Former Australian Schoolboys representatives Angus Hamilton and Fereti Sa'aga are included, and there is room for former Sharks U21 and current Box Hill hooker Greg Bauer, from South Africa. Frank Amituanai, Shane Imo, Rennie Lautolo-Molimau, Sefanaia Naivalu, OJ Noa, Junior Paila, Reuben Rolleston, Pom Simona, Finbar Simpson, Sione Taufa and Tui Tuiatua are the other Dewar Shield players selected.

All nine Dewar Shield Clubs are represented in the squad, with Endeavour Hills, Footscray and Harlequin leading the way with six players selected apiece. There are four players selected from Melbourne Uni, three from Moorabbin and Box Hill, two apiece from Melbourne and Power House, and one player from Southern Districts Rugby Club.

This article was posted on 25-Jul-2014, 10:00 by Hugh Barrow.