New Munster second-row can’t wait to get into the action
Pusey has the bonus of coming off the back of several competitive games with the Sydney based Southern Districts club and is ready for immediate action with his new team.
The arrival of Pusey is timely but if he needs a slight rest after his long journey from down under, coach Alan Gaffney won’t have any problem in slotting him in for the next round of Celtic League competition in ten day’s time.
The 23-year-old Australian Schools and under 21 international, who has spent the last two seasons with the ACT Brumbies, is coming off the back of 23 Super 12 appearances for the Brumbies in the face of hard-edged competition from the likes of David Giffin, Justin Harrison, Daniel Vickerman and Owen Finegan.
Irish qualified Pusey played his last game for Southern Districts just a week ago against Paramatta and will be ready, after a short rest, to begin work with his new colleagues very quickly.
Pusey admitted to be in very good shape. “The cup competition has been running since June, I’ve been playing regularly, so I’m feeling quite good and I’m just looking forward to meeting the squad and getting on with playing rugby.
“I am well aware of Munster and I knew they were one of the strongest sides in Europe and I did have the benefit of enlisting the advice of John Langford.
“John filled me in on the Munster scene and then I spoke with Jim (Williams) and I’d have to say they only had good things to say.
“Obviously it was a wrench to leave home, but the decision was that much easier having spoken to the two guys. I can’t wait to get into it.”
With two rounds of the Celtic League completed, Munster find themselves in fifth place having lost last weekend to Llanelli Scarlets and Munster coach Alan Gaffney sees the new arrival featuring in his plans straight away.
“I’m delighted that David has finally made it over. He’s a quality player who will enhance our squad and hopefully he’ll be able to hook up with the rest of the guys inside a couple of days.”
In the meantime, Leinster have made seven changes to the side that narrowly lost out to the Celtic Warriors last Saturday for their first ever Celtic Cup encounter against the Neath-Swansea Ospreys at Donnybrook on Friday night.
Coach Gary Ella said: “Leo (Cullen) has been working very hard to make the Irish World Cup squad. He will be rested on Friday to allow him to come back fresh the following week.
“Brian O’Meara hasn’t had as much physical work as Leo, but he has been fairly busy as well, so we have decided to have a look at Brian O’Riordan, who hasn’t been on the field in the last two games, at scrum-half. Brian is a great talent and we should have a look at him,” said Ella.
In addition, there are four players fit from injury. Out-half Matt Leek, hooker Gavin Hickie, tight head Emmett Byrne and Aidan McCullen are all back.
The back division is littered with a mixture of youth and experience. “David Quinlan is carrying a thigh injury and we have decided to leave him on the bench for this week. Also, it is an opportunity for us to see Christian Warner playing at inside centre,” said Ella.
Gordon D’Arcy, John McWeeney, Warner and, to a lesser extent, Leek will provide the know-how for Kieran Lewis, Brendan Burke and O’Riordan to show the depth of their ability. And there are openings there for them.
Elsewhere, the Connacht team to play The Borders in the opening round of the Celtic Cup at Galashiels on Friday night (7.35pm), shows nine changes from that which went down to Cardiff at the Arms Park on Saturday.
Coach Michael Bradley says he wanted to try a different formation this time round. Four of the changes are in the back line and five more among the forwards.
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