NSW Waratahs Head Coach, Rob Penney has named his matchday squad for his side's first Vodafone Super Rugby clash on home soil for 2020.
The NSW Waratahs are headed to McDonald Jones Stadium – their second visit to the Hunter in as many seasons – taking on the Auckland Blues.
It's a largely unchanged side for Penney, with Newcastle product, Harry Johnson-Holmes named after recovering from an illness that sidelined him in Round 1.
Jack Dempsey replaces Jed Holloway at no.8, with the backline unchanged.
Chris Talakai and Carlo Tizzano have been omitted, with Faulkner and Holloway returning to he reserves.
New recruit, Tepai Moeroa is in line for a Super Rugby debut after also being named on the bench.
NSW Waratahs Round 2 team announcement:
Vodafone Super Rugby - Round 2
NSW Waratahs v Auckland Blues
Saturday 8 February
Kick off: 7.15pm (local)
Mcdonald Jones Stadium
It's a largely unchanged side for Penney, with Newcastle product, Harry Johnson-Holmes named after recovering from an illness that sidelined him in Round 1.
Jack Dempsey replaces Jed Holloway at no.8, with the backline unchanged.
Chris Talakai and Carlo Tizzano have been omitted, with Faulkner and Holloway returning to he reserves.
New recruit, Tepai Moeroa is in line for a Super Rugby debut after also being named on the bench.
NSW Waratahs Round 2 team announcement:
| No. | Position | name |
| 1 | LOOSEHEAD PROP | TOM ROBERTSON |
| 2 | HOOKER | ROBBIE ABEL |
| 3 | TIGHTHEAD PROP | HARRY JOHNSON-HOLMES |
| 4 | LEFT LOCK | TOM STANIFORTH |
| 5 | RIGHT LOCK | ROB SIMMONS (c) |
| 6 | LEFT FLANKER | LACHLAN SWINTON |
| 7 | RIGHT FLANKER | MICHAEL HOOPER |
| 8 | NUMBER EIGHT | JACK DEMPSEY |
| 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 (vc) |
| Replacements: | ||
| 16. | RESERVE | DAMIEN FITZPATRICK |
| 17. | RESERVE | ANGUS BELL |
| 18. | RESERVE | TETERA FAULKNER |
| 19. | RESERVE | RYAN MCCAULEY |
| 20. | RESERVE | JED HOLLOWAY |
| 21. | RESERVE | TEPAI MOEROA |
| 22. | RESERVE | MITCH SHORT |
| 23. | RESERVE | JACK MADDOCKS |
Vodafone Super Rugby - Round 2
NSW Waratahs v Auckland Blues
Saturday 8 February
Kick off: 7.15pm (local)
Mcdonald Jones Stadium
