Berquist and Morland to start for College Rifles

18 Jun 2010

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New Auckland signings Toby Morland and Matthew Berquist will make their first starts for College Rifles this Saturday as they take on an in-form University outfit in the SKYCITY match of the week.

Morland, a former Chief and Highlander who has recently returned to New Zealand after a short-term playing stint with Munster, will start at halfback for the first time this year alongside former Hawke’s Bay and Highlanders first five-eighths Matthew Berquist.

But while a key factor for Morland and Berquist joining the club was to work on their combinations ahead of this year’s ITM Cup, the loss of three key midfield backs for College Rifles has forced Berquist to slide out to second five, with regular pivot Tom Wells continuing his duties in the number 10 jersey.

Having previously played with or against the likes of College Rifles players Jonathon Hope, Jarrod Dunn and Jarrod Bear in Dunedin during their time at Varsity, Co-coach Andrew Williams said the new duo of Morland and Berquist had slotted into the club seamlessly.

“They’ve fitted in really well, they’re very professional players and good guys,” Williams said.

”They’ve played with quite a few of our guys back in the day in Dunedin so they knew a number of backs and forwards from playing both with them and against them which has helped."

It promises to be a thrilling contest against two of the form teams in the competition this year, with co-coach Williams having nothing but praise for his upcoming opponents.

“I think they’re one of the front runners in the competition, you look at their team and they’ve got strength right across the board so I think they’ll finish way up the top and push for the championship,” he said.

“But as long as we stick to our style of play and are able tp play the game that we’re used to playing we’re in with a shot.”

College Rifles have only lost once at home this year, 5-18 in a close fought battle against Ponsonby, and have certainly made Haast St a formidable fortress for teams to visit.

University head into the game as favourites having lost just once this season, but they are missing no less than 10 players for tomorrow’s clash, with the likes of John Afoa, Brad Linklater, Grayson Schiphorst and Teddy Stanaway all injured, while Sean Polwart is overseas with the New Zealand Under 20s.

However head coach Murray Helleur refuses to use that as an excuse and is confident the players replacing them are capable of overcoming College Rifles to make it eight consecutive victories.

“The boys have stepped up in the past so there’s no reason they can’t step up and do the business again tomorrow,” he said.

“We’re pleased with the way we’ve been able to manufacture depth. It was a big concern for us last year and when we played in the final our depth was really non existent. In the off-season we’ve worked on that and once we get everyone all fit and back we could probably field two really good sides.”

One player who has certainly shone in the absence of flanker Sean Polwart is youngster Matt Matich.

A product of Mount Albert Grammar School, Matich was this year’s John Drake Memorial Scholarship winner and Helleur is thrilled with his development.

“He’s just superb, he’s straight out of school and he’s a machine,” he said.

But while Helleur is confident University can continue their successful season with another victory on Saturday, he is by no means underestimating College Rifles who he believes are his “bogey team”.

“They’re traveling really well at the moment, they’ve beaten us the last couple of years which we’re not too impressed about so it’s going to be a really good game, they pushed Ponies really close and they’ve made Haast St a bit of a fortress,” he said.

“They seem to grow another leg when they play us for some reason, I’m not sure what that’s all about. They’re very well drilled, they’re focused and their game plan is simple but effective.”

The match kicks off at 2.45pm at College Rifles.

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