The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Crusaders in Round 2 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday at 7:35pm AEDT at AAMI Park.
Head Coach Darren Coleman has welcomed back the experienced Hugh Sinclair to the starting line-up, whilst club stalwart Ned Hanigan takes his place in the reserves list after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Unfortunately, there is an injury cloud over dynamic winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
“Mark has pulled up with some hamstring soreness from Tuesday training,” Coleman said.
“He is having scans and receiving treatment, and we will give him until later in the week to prove his fitness.
“We’re fortunate that Triston Reilly has successfully recovered from his ankle injury, and he will come into the starting side if Mark is unable to play.”
With Lalakai Foketi still unavailable due to his neck injury, and Izaia Perese rested due to concussion protocols, the Waratahs will field a midfield combination of Joey Walton at inside centre and Harry Wilson at outside centre.
“It was disappointing to lose Izzy after the first half last week, but I thought Harry did really well when he came on in the second half and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him again this Saturday,” Walton said.
The backline depth will be reinforced with Mosese Tuipolutu joining the reserves list, whilst promising hooker Julian Heaven is in line to make his debut for NSW after also being selected in the reserves list.
With all teams playing at AAMI Park this weekend for Super Round, the side is looking forward to playing in the unique atmosphere in front of a large crowd.
“I haven’t played in Super Round yet so I’m really excited,” Walton said. “It’s pretty cool having all the teams down in Melbourne for the weekend. Hopefully there’s a big crowd there at AAMI Park because it should be a great weekend for rugby.
“The Crusaders have been so dominant for so long and we’re keen to take them on again. We need to be at our best to beat the best. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Position
1. Loosehead Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead Prop
4. Left Lock
5. Right Lock
6. Left Flanker
7. Right Flanker
8. Number 8
9. Scrumhalf
10. Flyhalf
11. Left Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Right Wing
15. Fullback
16. Reserve
17. Reserve
18. Reserve
19. Reserve
20. Reserve
21. Reserve
22. Reserve
23. Reserve
Name
Angus Bell (Sydney University)
Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
Harry Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs) **
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)
Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Ned Hanigan (Randwick)
Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
Mosese Tuipulotu (Eastern Suburbs)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
**Denotes potential debut.
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (Round 4+)
- Izaia Perese - Concussion (Round 3)
- Will Harrison - Knee (Round 3)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (Round 8)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Lachlan Swinton - Neck (Indefinite)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Neck (Round 3)
- Lalakai Foketi - Neck (Indefinite)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 2: NSW Waratahs v Crusaders.
Saturday March 2 at AAMI Park.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEDT.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free on Stan Sport.
