The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Chiefs in quarter-finals of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has made just one change to the starting side and added two new faces to the bench that lost on the final play of the game against the Blues at Leichhardt Oval.
Harry Johnson-Holmes makes a welcome return from a knee injury suffered against the Crusaders in Round 11 and joins Angus Bell and Dave Porecki in the front row.
Ned Hanigan, fresh off his first start of the season, partners Jed Holloway in the second row.
Charlie Gamble forms a hard-working and exciting backrow alongside Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and Will Harris.
Tane Edmed, who re-signed with the Waratahs mid-week, continues to develop his partnership with Jake Gordon in the halves while Lalakai Foketi and Alex Newsome have been named in the centres.
Waratahs’ leading try-scorer Mark Nawaqanitawase (7), fresh off scoring a double last week against the Blues, joins Dylan Pietsch on the wings.
Ben Donaldson has once again been named at fullback providing the Waratahs with a dual playmaking threat in the backs.
Darren Coleman has named a six-two split on the bench, with Langi Gleeson and Tom Horton returning to the side.
“It’s great to have Harry back in the team, he was one of our strongest and consistent performers prior to his injury and adds a significant work rate on the field,” Coleman said.
“Langi was outstanding against the Highlanders and we’re looking for a similar impact from him off the bench, alongside Hugh Sinclair and Jeremy Williams.
“The six-two bench seems to be working for us, it gives us the ability to make some early tactical substitutions and the security if we pick up an injury late in the game.”
WARATAHS 23 TO TAKE ON THE CHIEFS
1 Angus Bell (Sydney Uni/ Hunters Hill/ Newington College)
2 Dave Porecki (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Redlands)
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University/ Cowra Eagles/ Merewether High School)
4 Jed Holloway (Southern Districts/ Yamba Buccaneers/ Waverly College)
5 Ned Hanigan (Randwick/ Coonamble Rams/ St Joseph’s College)
6 Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs/ Saracens/ St Bede’s College)
7 Michael Hooper (Manly/ Manly Roos/ St Pius X College)
8 Will Harris (Eastern Suburbs/ Hunters Hill/ Scots College)
9 Jake Gordon © (Sydney Uni/ Canterbury/ Blackwattle Bay)
10 Tane Edmed (Eastwood/ Trinity Grammar)
11 Dylan Pietsch (Randwick/ Leeton Phantoms/ Kings School)
12 Lalakai Foketi (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Kings)
13 Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs/ Glen Innes Elks/ St Joseph’s College)
14 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood/ St Patrick’s College)
15 Ben Donaldson (Randwick/ Clovelly Eagles/ Waverly College)
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton (Sydney University/ Mosman Whales/ St Joseph’s College)
17 Paddy Ryan (Sydney University/ Tamworth Tricolours/ St Joseph’s College)
18 Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs/ Kings School)
19 Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs/ Lindfield/ S.H.O.R.E)
20 Jeremy Williams (Eastern Suburbs/ Wahroonga Tigers/ Scots College)
21 Langi Gleeson (Manly/ Manly Roos/ St Augustine’s College)
22 Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs/ Orange City Lions/ St Ignatius College)
23 Jamie Roberts (Warringah/ Rumney RFC/ Ysgol Glantaf)
Players unavailable for selection: Geoff Cridge – HIA (SF+) Hugh Bokenham – Ankle (Season) Izaia Perese – Knee (SF+) James Ramm – Ankle (SF+) Joey Walton – ACL (Season) Lachlan Swinton - Shoulder (Season) Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco – Shoulder (TBC) Te Tera Faulkner – Ankle (TBC) Will Harrison – ACL, MCL (season)
Players available for Shute Shield Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour) Henry Robertson (Sydney Uni) Max Douglas (Manly) Mosese Tuipulotu (Eastern Suburbs) Tevita Funa (Western Sydney) Tiaan Tauakipulu (Randwick)
