The above photo is of the 2016 Monaro side.
Nine Dirty Reds have been named in the Monaro squad to take on Southern Inlands and South Coast this weekend.
The Monaro side, skippered by Goulburn stalwart Mikael Webber, contains seven Goulburn players in the starting side and two others on the bench.
Other selected players include five from ADFA, and three each from RMC, Hall and Jindabyne.
All players are expected to see plenty of action with two games scheduled on the same day. Monaro will play Southern Inlands at 12 and South Coast at 4pm, both games on ANU North Oval.
Brumbies media have provided the following team descriptions and lists:
MONARO
Vic Amsteins and Matt Todd take the coaching reins, and after a much improved showing from Monaro in 2018, the side again looks strong this year. Following the best training attendance in many years Vic and Matt will be very encouraged about what the team can do.
Runaway First Division leaders Goulburn have 9 players selected, but the side also has a good sprinkling of players from our Services clubs including ADFA teenager Jack Kearns who was a standout for Brumbies Provincial last year against NSW Country, and also played for the
Brumbies U19s in 2018. Number 8 and Captain Mik Webber is a quality player and his experience will be valuable to the side. Jindabyne pair Liam Pepper and Matt Caldwell are both former Brumbies Provincial players as well and will bring their skills, and some Bushpig grit to the Monaro backline.
SOUTHERN INLANDS
The defending champions, have named a strong team again and will go in as odds on favourites with players selected from 7 of their 8 First Grade clubs. A strong tight 5 will challenge the set piece of Monaro and South Coast, but it’s the Backrow of SIRU that will be a real threat.
Krautz and De Meyer will but plenty of pressure on their opponents, and Number 8 and 2018 Brumbies Provincial Rep Menzies Seumanutafa is a powerful ball carrier.
In the backs winger Vaughn Scott, the former International Taekwondo Rep and London Olympian brings some handy footwork and agility, whilst on the other wing Semi Rokodinono is very dangerous when given space. David Serukai from Griffith is also one to watch in the midfield. SIRU have some strength on the bench also, with the experienced Chris Latu a fine player who can bring impact.
Coach Nick McCarthy will no doubt be looking for some dominance up front to earn space for his talented backline to show their skills.
SOUTH COAST
Littered with familiar names, the South Coast will again front with a team of experienced players, but with plenty of young talent mixed in. Up in the front row, Jimmy Roberts and James Bell are excellent experienced players with Provincial Rep caps under their belt, so expect South Coast to challenge Monaro and SIRU at scrum-time.
All 3 teams at tournament have strength in the Backrow and South Coast are certainly well equipped in this area. Ash Kenny and Andy Goslett have been strong performers for many years in local rugby having represented all the way to Provincial Level. These 2 will be key to the ball carrying impact of South Coast, and both are physical defenders around the ruck.
South Coast will be confident in their forward packs ability to match their opponents, the key to their success this Saturday will be the performance of the backline. Team numbers have fluctuated over the years on the South Coast but it’s great to see 4 clubs playing this year, and all 4 clubs have players selected this weekend.
