Keltics host Rock in Halifax

The Nova Scotia Keltics play host to the Newfoundland Rock at Wanderers Grounds in Halifax on Friday evening in their final match of the season. The Rock triumped 37-22 during their last meeting on June 19 in St. John’s, and the Keltics will be seeking retribution on their home turf. Newfoundland will be looking to come through their Atlantic Senior League schedule unbeaten once again. To do so they will have to topple the Keltics before moving on to Fredericton to face the New Brunswick Black Spruce on Sunday.

Head coach Jack Hanratty has made three changes to the starting lineup from the side that traveled to Newfoundland. Jeremy Steinbach steps up to prop in place of Alex Forrest, while two key players return from injury – flanker Sam Edmonds and utility back Ellis Gray, who starts on the wing. Adam Anshen moves in one spot in the midfield, and Kevin Gauthier shifts from wing to centre. Enfield scrumhalf Mark Sweeney continues as captain.

All four of Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Rock selections for the Canadian Rugby Championship are included. Prop Tapiwa Rabwi, lock Evan Dickie, back row Mike Hamson, and winger Brett Johnson were part of the side that competed in Calgary earlier this month. Hooker Jeremy Archibald was a non-traveling reserve.

Newfoundland have yet to confirm their starting lineup, but are expected to feature at least nine players that traveled to Calgary. Front rowers Bob Rogers, Jordon Power, and captain Owen Parfrey are included, as are second rows Chris Browne and Brad Lester. Flanker Matt Murphy and no8 Zac Coughlan were also part of the side.

Scrumhalf Tony Pomroy was a member of Canada’s u20 side sent to Portugal in May, and flyhalf Patrick Parfrey has won seven caps for Canada’s senior men’s team. A third Parfrey may join the team for the Nova Scotia match, as back row Kevin looks set to be included after a long hiatus. The eldest of the trio, he played once for Canada, against Japan in 2005.

Nova Scotia haven’t beaten the Rock in 15 years, but Hanratty is optimistic his charges can get the job done at home.

“We have trained hard since our trial games early in the year and were desperately disappointed not to win in Newfoundland. This is my third season in charge and although we have improved in skill and ability, it’s the winning that counts and we just haven’t done that against the Rock. Newfoundland has set the pace in Atlantic Canada in recent years and we feel we are close to reaching that standard.

“This is a very important game for us. All of our Keltics sides – women through to seniors and junior men – are coming off big achievements at the Eastern Canadian Championships and now it’s time for the senior men to follow suit.”

Meanwhile Rock head coach Simon Blanks expects a difficult contest.

“We’re looking forward to another exciting game in Halifax. We have a number of young players in the squad, with several players out injured, and we still have to confirm some of the reserves. The deciding factor in the last game was our bench depth, and that has been negated, so we are expecting a tense battle and a very close game.”

The match will be streamed live at 7pm local time on BellAliant Community One.

NOVA SCOTIA KELTICS
1 Tapiwa Rabwi (Tars) 2 Jeremy Archibald (Tars) 3 Jeremy Steinbach (Tars) 4 David Smith (HRFC) 5 Evan Dickie (Enfield) 6 Sam Edmonds (HRFC) 7 Tommy Hartlin (Windsor) 8 Mike Hamson (Tars) 9 Mark Sweeney (capt., Enfield) 10 Federico Cisneros (Windsor) 11 Brett Johnson (Truro) 12 Adam Anshan (Tars) 13 Kevin Gauthier (HRFC) 14 Ellis Gray (Tars) 15 Adam Pottie (HRFC)

16 Vince O’Malley (HRFC) 17 Jonathan Hughes (Tars) 18 Kyle Cigolotti (Enfield) 19 Greg Forrest (Dartmouth), 20 Mohamed Abdelmonem (Tars) 21 Mike Simpson (Tars) 22 Thomas Hindle (HRFC) 23 Jordan MacNeill (Pictou County)

NEWFOUNDLAND ROCK
FORWARDS: Justin Aylward (Baymen), Steve Cutcliffe (Dogs), Bob Rogers (Dogs), Owen Parfrey (capt., Swilers), Jordon Power (Dogs), Chris Browne (Dogs), Brad Lester (Dogs), Rich Tingskou (Swilers), Zac Coughlan (Swilers), Chris Hammond (Dogs), Matt Murphy (Dogs), Kevin Parfrey (Swilers) BACKS: Tony Pomroy (Baymen), Patrick Parfrey (Swilers), John Daley (Swilers), Brandon Dillon (Swilers), Devin Lacey (Swilers), Kyle McGuirk (Swilers), Tommy Prestarri (Dogs), Gudbjartur Bjarnason (Dogs), Andrew Rafuse (Dogs)

*Newfoundland have yet to confirm several players