The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Western Force in Round 9 of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.
In a huge boost to the side, Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has added two Wallabies to his starting 15, while making two positional changes to the team that ran out 38-14 winners over the Fijian Drua on the Gold Coast.
Captain Jake Gordon makes a welcome return from a hamstring injury and plays his first match since Round three against the Brumbies.
The Waratahs skipper was touch and go for the Waratahs clash against the Drua but with a bye the following week Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman and his team erred on the side of caution.
“Getting Jake back is a huge boost for the team, and we are really happy how the past few weeks have panned out,” Coleman said.
“We were tempted to play him before the bye with a bit of risk but we’re glad in hindsight we played the long game with him, as he’s now back and one hundred percent fit and ready for big minutes in a very important match for us.”
Michael Hooper has been named in the starting team for the first time this season, after making his long-awaited return via the bench last week against the Drua.
The return of the Wallabies captain has seen Charlie Gamble named at blindside flanker with Hugh Sinclair reverting to the second row to partner Jed Holloway.
Coleman said “It’s a little unconventional having two specialist sevens in the side, but I’m a firm believer in rewarding strong performances.
“Both Charlie and Hugh Sinclair have been outstanding for us and deserve their opportunity in the starting side albeit in slightly different positions.
“We know the energy that having both Charlie and Hoops on the field together will give our team right across the park and I’m looking forward to seeing how that unfolds on the weekend.”
In another boost for the side, Will Harrison has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium and provides plenty of cover off the bench.
WARATAHS 23 V WESTERN FORCE
1 Angus Bell (Sydney Uni/ Hunters Hill/ Newington College)
2 David Porecki (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Redlands)
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney Uni/ Cowra Eagles/ Merewether High School)
4 Jed Holloway (Southern Districts/ Yamba Buccaneers/ Waverley College)
5 Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs/ Lindfield/ S.H.O.R.E)
6 Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs/ Saracens/ St Bede’s College)
7 Michael Hooper (Manly/ Manly Roos/ St Pius 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 School)
13 Izaia Perese (Randwick/ Aspley State School/ Anglican Church Grammar)
14 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood/ St Patrick’s College)
15 Alex Newsome (Eastern Suburbs/ Glen Innes Elks/ St Joseph’s College)
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu (Gordon/ Auckland Grammar School)
17 Te Tera Faulkner (Southern Districts/ Moorabin Rams/ Marist College Canberra)
18 Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs/ Kings School)
19 Geoffrey Cridge (West Harbour/ Darfield Rugby Club/ Christchurch Boys High)
20 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (Southern Districts/ Endeavour Sports High)
21 Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs/ Orange City Lions/ St Ignatius College)
22 Will Harrison (Randwick/ Clovelly Eagles/ Marcellin College)
23 Jamie Roberts (CRICC/ Rumney RFC/ Ysgol Glantaf)
Players unavailable for selection: Ben Donaldson – Calf (Round 10) Henry Robertson – Shoulder (Round 10+) James Ramm – Groin (TBC) Jeremy Williams – Hamstring (Round 11+) Joey Walton – ACL (Season) Lachlan Swinton (Shoulder TBC) Mosese Tuipulotu – Knee (Round 11+) Teddy Wilson – Australian U20’s
Players available for Shute Shield Carlo Tizzano (West Harbour) Hugh Bokenham (Sydney Uni) Langi Gleeson (Manly) Max Douglas (Manly) Tevita Funa (Western Sydney) Tiaan Tauakipulu (Randwick) Triston Reilly (Randwick)
