The starting XV features two debutants in Will Harrison and Mark Nawaqanitawse, with the Junior Wallabies pairing being rewarded for strong form in pre-season trials against the Highlanders and the Reds.
Angus Bell and Carlo Tizzano are also in line for Super Rugby debuts, named on the bench for Saturday's clash at Trafalgar Park. They'll also be joined by the experienced Tetera Faulkner, Damien Fitzpatrick, Jack Dempsey and Jack Maddocks.
Kurtley Beale will line up at fullback as Harrison assumes playmaking duties, with the utility back earning his 143rd Waratahs cap, taking him to second on the all-time appearance list.
Lalakai Foketi and Karmichael Hunt will pair in the midfield, flanked by Alex Newsome and Nawaqanitawse on the wings.
Tom Robertson, Robbie Abel and Tetera Faulkner will pack down in the front row, with Harry Johnson-Holmes ruled out due to illness. Tom Staniforth will line up for his 50th Super Rugby cap alongside Rob Simmons in the second row.
NSW Waratahs Round 1 team announcement:
| No. | Position | name |
| 1 | LOOSEHEAD PROP | TOM ROBERTSON |
| 2 | HOOKER | ROBBIE ABEL |
| 3 | TIGHTHEAD PROP | TETERA FAULKNER |
| 4 | LEFT LOCK | TOM STANIFORTH |
| 5 | RIGHT LOCK | ROB SIMMONS (c) |
| 6 | LEFT FLANKER | LACHLAN SWINTON |
| 7 | RIGHT FLANKER | MICHAEL HOOPER |
| 8 | NUMBER EIGHT | JED HOLLOWAY |
| 9 | SCRUMHALF | JAKE GORDON |
| 10 | FLYHALF | WILL HARRISON |
| 11 | LEFT WING | ALEX NEWSOME |
| 12 | INSIDE CENTRE | KARMICHAEL HUNT |
| 13 | OUTSIDE CENTRE | LALAKAI FOKETI |
| 14 | RIGHT WING | MARK NAWAQANITAWASE |
| 15 | FULLBACK | KURTLEY BEALE |
| Replacements: | ||
| 16. | RESERVE | DAMIEN FITZPATRICK |
| 17. | RESERVE | ANGUS BELL |
| 18. | RESERVE | CHRIS TALAKAI |
| 19. | RESERVE | RYAN MCCAULEY |
| 20. | RESERVE | JACK DEMPSEY |
| 21. | RESERVE | CARLO TIZZANO |
| 22. | RESERVE | MITCH SHORT |
| 23. | RESERVE | JACK MADDOCKS |
Vodafone Super Rugby - Round 1
Crusaders v NSW Waratahs
Saturday 1 February
Kick off: 7.05pm (local) 5:05pm (AEDT)
Trafalgar Park
