Cordingley wins fitness battle
May 14 2008
Departing Reds scrum-half Sam Cordingley has won his battle with injury and will get the chance to say goodbye when his team tackles the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Cordingly, who has been sidelined for much of the Super 14 season with a calf complaint, was named on the bench for the Reds' final fixture.
He will be joined by reserve prop Rodney Blake, who has served a one-match ban, and 21-year-old winger Caleb Brown.
Digby Ioane goes out of the team due to suspension.
It's been a long road back for Cordingley, who was desperate to play one more game for the Reds before continuing his career in France.
"We're fortunate that Sam has come through OK," said Reds coach Phil Mooney.
"We couldn't risk starting him after such a long layoff.
"Young Ben Lucas has been doing a good job for us at scrum-half in Sam's absence and we'll still have the benefit of bringing Sam off the bench when the time is right."
Lock James Horwill retains the captaincy he assumed from Cordingley midway through the season.
Brown, meanwhile, is another feel-good story.
He gets his first Super 14 opportunity since May 2006.
He spent last season on the sidelines with persistent hamstring problems and has been working his way back to form with appearances in the Australian Sevens squad and in Trinity Premier Rugby.
"Caleb's been working hard to earn this chance. His enthusiasm will really give the side an extra lift," said Mooney.
Reds: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 David Croft, 6 Poutasi Luafutu, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Dayna Edwards, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Coutts.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Caleb Brown.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: James Leckie (Australia), Damian Mitchelmore (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson (Australia)