Game Preview - 2018 Round 1

By Samuel Lindsayvs PENRITH EMUS (H) Southern Districts will get their 2018 campaign underway in front of a home crowd at Forshaw Rugby Park against a Penrith Emus side packed with desire to get their season off and running.Head Coach Matt Barr alongside Club President Ken McKay have had a busy summer with 4 players set to make their debuts in the candy stripes first grade this weekend. After a strong off-season program dating back to early November, there has been a fresh approach building towards Round 1 with the inclusion of new Strength & Conditioning Coach Klint Hoare. Combined with the addition of a third trial game, the Rebels will be confident they can build some early momentum this season. Southern Districts have had the luxury of retaining the core of their playing group heading into 2018, however a number of 1st Grade regulars have been ruled out through injury. This has injected plenty of fresh faces into the group bringing plenty of energy and eagerness to press for a regular starting place.There have been plenty of changes out West at the Emus camp, with new coaches Peter Nuimata and Chip Carroll set to take the reins in their first competition game. Following on from a strong recruitment drive, the Emus will be bringing an enthusiastic, motivated and dangerous side to Sydney’s south.1st Grade will kick-off at 3pm with the first game of the day, 4th Grade getting underway at 10:45am. SDRC TEAM NEWS 1st Grade DebutsShambeckler VuiBayley KuenzleWilliam LatuChristian Kagiassis MilestonesNone in Round 1 Starting Line-up1. Matt Gibbon2. Liam Dwyer3. Shambeckler Vui4. Angus Ryan5. Fili Tufui6. Alex Perez7. Conor Mitchell8. Marcus Carbone (c)9. Eli Pilz10. Bayley Kuenzle11. Rowland-Keni Kotabalavau12. Denny Godinet13. William Latu14. Christian Kagiassis15. Jamie Verran STATS Southern Districts vs Penrith Emus at Forshaw Rugby Park –Past 5 years 2017 Round 16 Southern Districts 76 – 12 Penrith Emus 2016 Round 17 Southern Districts 64 – 13 Penrith Emus 2015 Round 17 Southern Districts 76 – 10 Penrith Emus 2014 Round 13 Southern Districts 44 – 22 Penrith Emus 2013 Round 4 Southern Districts 32 – 12 Penrith Emus Form – Last 5 matches Southern Districts W W W W L Penrith Emus L L L L L Southern Districts 5 year record vs Penrith Emus P W L F A Forshaw Rugby Park 5 5 0 292 69 Nepean Rugby Park 5 5 0 330 54 Total 10 10 0 622 123