The Ospreys' new star signing Marika Koroibete has not travelled with the squad to South Africa due to a paperwork issue.
Koroibete was the headline-grabbing signing of the pre-season, with the 63-times capped former Wallabies star one of the best wingers in the world for a number of years. But he will miss the opening two United Rugby Championship fixtures against the Sharks and Lions in South Africa.
Visa hitch on day of travel
New Australian signing Lawson Creighton has been selected to start at outside-half ahead of Dan Edwards, while the Ospreys have named former Wallabies captain Liam Wright to start at blindside flanker and Lalakai Foketi at centre.
"Marika was due to travel but unfortunately, through no fault of our own, there was some bit of a paperwork hitch on the day of travel and it looked like he couldn't travel," said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones. "So we had pre-booked 35 spots and we wanted to make sure with a couple of little niggles we had enough cover on the trip."
"So we decided to leave him behind and not risk him not getting into the country through the visa issues and we took Harri Houston. But, typically, before we flew his visa came through and he was good to go."
Cost and quota factors
"So just due to cost really he will remain in Wales because we've filled up our quota and if anything happens or we get any niggles we'll have to fly him out," Jones added. "But he's settled in and it was always going to be a bit of a push to get some rugby out of him on this trip anyway, just because of the lateness of him arriving at the club, but we would like to have brought him with us. That was the original plan."
The Ospreys against the Sharks could have an extra edge after the events of last season. At the Brewery Field last season Sharks wing Ethan Hooker dislocated his shoulder in the process of scoring a try after opposite number Luke Morgan dived to dislodge the ball. The Sharks were furious and it led to Morgan receiving vitriolic criticism on social media which the Ospreys later labelled a "disgrace."
Focus on the Sharks clash
"As I said in my comments after the game, myself and Luke were really disappointed that Ethan did hurt himself in the Luke Morgan incident but there was no malice in it," said Jones. "It's been great to see Ethan back performing so well for South Africa recently. He's a high-quality player and I am glad to see him back on the field."
"We're just focusing on coming over here. We've moved on and we've got a huge amount of respect for JP and his coaching staff and the team. We just want to get out there and put a great performance in and earn the respect of the South African people in how we play the game."
"Luke has been around a long time, hasn't he? So if he does get any good-natured boos he'll be able to cope with anything that a crowd throw at him," Jones continued. "Luke's an experienced player. I spoke to him about it, about the potential of playing in this game. Keelan Giles has got a little bit of a niggle, which we didn't want to risk this week. With that being said Lukey was more than happy to take part."
"I did have a conversation with him because there were some things flying around at the time that were getting a little bit out of hand but he's all good. He just wants to focus on the rugby and so do we. That's all we care about ultimately and we want a good, competitive, physical game. Both teams will have moved on I'm sure."
Ospreys: Iestyn Hopkins; Tom Rogers, Owen Watkin, Lalakai Foketi, Luke Morgan; Lawson Creighton, Luke Davies; Steffan Thomas, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Rhys Davies, Liam Wright, Ross Moriarty, Morgan Morris. Replacements: Efan Daniel, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Henry, Ryan Smith, Harri Deaves, Kieran Hardy, Harri Wilde, Evardi Boshoff.
