FIVE days out from the Brumbies Provincial Tournament, Southern Inland Rugby Union coach Mick McTaggart is one step away from naming the squad that will defend its title this weekend.
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Late yesterday, McTaggart said he was relieved the original 25-man squad was still in good shape with no serious injuries ruling anyone out of Saturday’s first clash with arch-rival Monaro.
With the help of assistant coaches Luke Eldridge and Mick Small, McTaggart is spoiled for choice in naming the starting 15 to take on Monaro in the tournament opener at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.
Speaking yesterday, McTaggart said SIRU was full-steam ahead to defend its tournament title this weekend.
“Everyone’s really looking forward to it,” he said.
“We trained well on Friday night and we’ve brought this week’s training ahead to Thursday night so we can have a full-on run under competition lights.
“We’re rearing to go.”
McTaggart said several small injury concerns are expected to iron themselves out this week.
“At the moment we’re looking really good, I can’t believe every one of the 25 players is looking as though they’re going to play,” he said.
“I’d say we’ve averaged three or four injuries every year from the opening 25.
“Jock Munro is nursing a sore shoulder and Grant Priest is under an injury cloud with a sore ankle, plus any players who may have been hurt over the weekend, but I haven’t heard anything.
“Matt Binks strained his hamstring a little bit at training on Friday night but he wasn’t going to play for Waratahs anyway with a sore shoulder.
“He stopped straight away, he should be fine for this weekend.”
McTaggart said his run-on squad was 99 per cent secured, but will wait until he receives official confirmation from all players today to announce the line-up.
All players have been given until noon today to declare themselves fit for Saturday’s long-awaited clash with Monaro.
SIRU stole Monaro’s crown in a spectacular performance in Canberra last year, ending three years of dominance over the tournament.
Although Monaro’s strength is unknown, McTaggart believes SIRU’s swift agility and size will counter anything its rivals bring to the paddock.
