The NSW Waratahs will travel to Suncorp Stadium this Friday night to kick-off Vodafone Super Rugby AU, taking on the Queensland Reds.
Head Coach, Rob Penney has named a squad full of young talent to take on the Reds, headlined by Will Harris and Joey Walton - with both set to make their NSW debut.
They'll join the likes of fellow Junior Wallabies Angus Bell, Will Harrison and Mark Nawanqanitawase in the run-on side.
Tom Horton, Tiaan Tauakipulu and Ben Donaldson are also in line to make their professional debuts from the bench, they'll be alongside the experienced trio of Tetera Faulkner, Tom Staniforth and Jack Dempsey who will provide Penney with plenty of options throughout the season-opener.
Ned Hanigan returns from injury to partner Rob Simmons in the second row, Jack Maddocks plays at fullback and Mitch Short will start in place of the injured Jake Gordon.
Alex Newsome will partner Joey Walton in midfield and has also been named vice-captain, his first official leadership role within the NSW Waratahs set up.
NSW Waratahs Round 1 team announcement:
| No. | Position | name |
| 1 | LOOSEHEAD PROP | ANGUS BELL |
| 2 | HOOKER | ROBBIE ABEL |
| 3 | TIGHTHEAD PROP | HARRY JOHNSON-HOLMES |
| 4 | LEFT LOCK | NED HANIGAN |
| 5 | RIGHT LOCK | ROB SIMMONS (c) |
| 6 | LEFT FLANKER | LACHLAN SWINTON |
| 7 | RIGHT FLANKER | MICHAEL HOOPER |
| 8 | NUMBER EIGHT | WILL HARRIS |
| 9 | SCRUMHALF | MITCH SHORT |
| 10 | FLYHALF | WILL HARRISON |
| 11 | LEFT WING | MARK NAWAQANITAWASE |
| 12 | INSIDE CENTRE | JOEY WALTON |
| 13 | OUTSIDE CENTRE | ALEX NEWSOME (vc) |
| 14 | RIGHT WING | JAMES RAMM |
| 15 | FULLBACK | JACK MADDOCKS |
| Replacements: | ||
| 16. | RESERVE | TOM HORTON |
| 17. | RESERVE | TETERA FAULKNER |
| 18. | RESERVE | TIAAN TAUAKIPULU |
| 19. | RESERVE | TOM STANIFORTH |
| 20. | RESERVE | JACK DEMPSEY |
| 21. | RESERVE | MICHAEL MCDONALD |
| 22. | RESERVE | BEN DONALDSON |
| 23. | RESERVE | TEPAI MOEROA |
Vodafone Super Rugby AU - Round 1
QLD Reds v NSW Waratahs
Friday 3 July
Kick off: 7:05pm (local)
Suncorp Stadium
