Tongan to go straight into Connacht side
Monday, 31 October 2005 22:00Tongan international Andrew Mailei, who arrives in Ireland today, could be drafted straight into the Connacht side for Friday night's trip to Glasgow Warriors.
Connacht have a number of injury problems, especially in the backline, and may have no choice but to throw the 25 year old centre straight into action.
John Hearty had to retire with a hamstring injury in Friday night's excellent 19-16 win away to Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup.
And Keith Matthews, who scored a hat-trick in the win over Italian minnows Amatori Catantia, remains doubtful with a groin injury.
Matthews, who also scored tries against the Ospreys and Ulster in his side's last two Celtic League games, missed the superb win away to the French.
Coach Michael Bradley says he will wait for injury reports today before selecting his side for Friday night¹s clash with Hughenden.
We did not expect to play Andrew Mailei so soon but we may have no choice depending on the injuries to the other players, said Bradley.
We are after winning our two European games and were very unfortunate the week before that away to the Ospreys, so hopefully we can do well in Glasgow, he added.
Mailei, capped eight times by Tonga, joins Connacht from New Zealand NPC side North Harbour after the IRFU gave Connacht clearance to find a replacement for long-term injury casualty Mark McHugh.
