Queens show of force

Ex Keo

The Kings line-up to front Griquas is what will face the Force in their Super Rugby debut.

The inspirational Luke Watson is back as captain following a lengthy injury lay-off and the side is considerably stronger than that which has played in previous warm-ups.

Along with Watson, other big names that get starts include Bandise Maku in the front row, Steven Sykes getting a run in the second row and the backline getting a boost with Demetri Catrakilis running the show with Andries Struass and Ronnie Cooke teaming up in midfield.

The bench includes foreigners in Hadleigh Parkes, Nicolas Vergallo and the re-imported ex-Sharks and Bulls player Dan Adongo.

Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Siyanda Grey, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornel du Preez , 5 Steve Sykes, 4 David Bulbring, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Substitutes : Edgar Marutlulle, BG Uys, Jaco Engels, Daniel Adongo, Devin Oosthuizen, Nicolas Vergallo, George Whitehead, Hadleigh Parkes, Marcello Sampson, Johan Herbst.

Looks a stronger side but by how much? Johan Herbst looks to be a promising scrummie. 

I suppose the Griqwas wll be without the players now in the Cheetah squad - so it will be a slightly weaker Griquas team that will take the field.   I am not sure about the outcome - the Queens may just beat them - but like other CC yeams ther seems to be a lot of youngsters coming through that may even strengthen the Griquas team - so the result really is in doubt.

The problem with the Queens is that with few exceptions - the players they contracted from other SA Franchises are not top class.   Sykes left the Sharks - but in his latest games never was in the starting line-up.   Strauss was more or less in the same boat as Sykes,  Maku is a decent hooker - but is he top class?   The only player that would really be accepted by other franchises is Catrakilis,

When is this game to be played and is it going to be televised? 

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