The Wests Bulldogs are bolstered by the return of Fijian wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Henry Speight ahead of their major semi-final against the Brothers on Saturday. Vunivalu, returning from a knee injury, and Speight, who recently addressed a minor hamstring issue, will be key players in this high-stakes match at GPS Rugby Club.
In light of Moses Sorovi’s call-up to the Fijian Test squad as a halfback, Wests has made adjustments to their backline. Mason Gordon will move from fullback to the flyhalf position, while Mosese Dawai will shift from the wing to fullback. Wests coach Elwee Prinsloo expressed confidence in Gordon’s abilities at flyhalf, recalling his earlier performance in the season.
Entering the finals on a seven-match winning streak, Prinsloo cautioned that the past does not dictate the future. He acknowledged that while Wests defeated Brothers 39-12 in July, that result holds little significance in the context of the finals. He regarded Brothers as the benchmark that most teams aspire to.
The Brothers are also making strategic changes. James O’Connor has returned after recovering from a concussion sustained in a match against Tonga and will take the No.10 spot. Paddy James is set to transition to fullback, and Bas Hanna will fill in on the wing for the injured Tim Ryan. Additionally, Wallabies squad member Ryan Smith will start in the lock position, while Hamish Muller will shift to flanker.
Brothers coach Ben McCormack noted a shift in his team’s mindset as they prepare for the finals, citing the experience of several players in high-pressure situations. He acknowledged Wests’ previous victory over Brothers but emphasized that the finals present a different challenge.