Schifcofske receives early birthday present
Queensland Reds new recruit Clinton Schifcofske has been given an early birthday present – a starting position in his first game for the Reds in his favoured position at fullback.
The rugby league convert turns 31 on Friday, the day he will play his first professional game of rugby union, and admits to being nervous on the eve of the match.
| Queensland Reds Team |
| 1. | Ben Coutts |
| 2. | Sean Hardman |
| 3. | Herman Hunt |
| 4. | Cameron Treloar |
| 5. | Ed O’Donoghue |
| 6. | Ben Mowen |
| 7. | David Croft |
| 8. | John Roe (c) |
| 9. | Nic Berry |
| 10. | Peter Hynes |
| 11. | Andrew Brown |
| 12. | Lloyd Johansson |
| 13. | Henari Veratau |
| 14. | Caleb Brown |
| 15. | Clinton Schifcofske |
| Reserve Bench |
| 16. | Geoff Abram |
| 17. | Ben Daley |
| 18. | Josh Afu |
| 19. | AJ Gilbert |
| 20. | Will Genia |
| 21. | Quade Cooper |
| 22. | Charlie Fetoai |
“I’m a little but nervous but it’s been good to get away,” he said.
“I’ve had this week to get to know the game, but just as significantly, to get to know the team which is pretty important in the heat of the battle.”
Schifcofske said it would be “interesting” to make his rugby debut on his birthday and is looking forward to the game.
“Hopefully I play really well and enjoy it and I can make it even more of a special day.”
He said a rugby team’s preparations weren’t that much different to that in league and that he was really enjoying the experience.
“When you have around 22 blokes all wanting the same thing and going in the same direction you can’t help but enjoy each other’s company.”
Meanwhile, the call-up of Reds utility back Mitchell Chapman to the Wallaby squad has forced Reds coach Eddie Jones to make one change to his line up for the match against Japan.
Ben Mowen has been promoted to the starting line-up, with Reds Academy player and Australian U19 representative Josh Afu being drafted onto the bench.
Afu, an athletic second rower who was sought after by the Brisbane Broncos as a potential winger or centre, is one of seven players aged just 19 or under in the Reds squad. The youngest is Academy prop Ben Daley at 18, with schoolboy prodigy Quade Cooper just two months older.
Half the team is aged 21 or under, meaning the match provides a glimpse at future Reds squads.
The team has been training in Tokyo since Tuesday and Jones said the squad was coming together well.
“Training has been pretty good and the younger players are mixing well with the older guys,” Jones said.
The team does have a couple of injury concerns ahead of the game with prop Herman Hunt and centre Henari Veratau both carrying slight hamstring strains but Jones said at this stage they will be fit to play.
Reds Tour Match
Japan vs Queensland Reds
National Stadium, Tokyo
Friday night, November 10
Kick-Off: 7:00pm (local/Japan); 8:00pm (QLD time)
Related Article:
Schifcofske on deck as Reds resume training (Mon Oct 30)
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