RUGBY UNION
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WITH injuries and unavailability galore, Orange Emus’ depth is set to be tested in tomorrow’s juicy Blowes Clothing Cup clash with Cowra.
Centre pairing Simon Badgery and Nigel Staniforth are both expected to miss the clash, causing a radical back-line reshuffle and forcing the greens to field a much different starting 15 to that which has won four of its opening five games.
Adam Perri shifts from five-eighth to inside centre, and Tom Green pushes into outside centre from his wing. Regular fullback Isaac White replaces Green on the flank, with young gun Michael Mann - still a colt - assuming the custodian role. Blowes Clothing Cup veteran TJ Cunynghame will fill Perri’s vacant pivot role.
In the forward pack, Feleti Fosio returns to the front row, while former Australian Schoolboy Shane Udy has been named in the second row, forcing younger brother Scott to the side of the scrum.
“That’s alright, I prefer it on the side,” the latter laughed.
“And having Shane in the second row is better than having me there. There’s plenty of changes, but we’ve got the depth to cover them.
“If you look at the guys coming up, they’ve all played at this level before and done the job. We’ll be fine.”
VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Matt Findlay run the rule over this weekend's games:
Udy has been one of Emus’ best over the opening five rounds, but said Cowra was “a different kettle of fish” after the Eagles’ stunning start to the 2015 season.
“They’ve come from nowhere a bit,” Udy said.
“But they must be playing good rugby, which means we can’t slacken off.
“I’ve heard their set piece is pretty good, and they have some big boys up front. I don’t think we need to change much, we just need to be prepared for a physical battle.
“Starting fast is important for us too. Our defence at the start of last weekend’s game won it for us. It could do the same [tomorrow].”
Emus and Cowra lock horns from 3.15pm at Endeavour Oval.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Nas Havealeta, 2 Keith Howarth, 3 Feleti Fosio, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Shane Udy, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Scott Udy, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 Seb Backhouse, 10 TJ Cunynghame, 11 Carter Hirini, 12 Adam Perri, 13 Tom Green, 14 Isaac White, 15 Michael Mann.