The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Blues in round nine of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has added six new faces to his starting XV that defeated the Western Force in Sydney, while adding three potential debutants on the bench.
Coleman is without several his Wallabies due to injuries and national resting protocols, providing an opportunity for his wider squad to showcase their talent on one of the most iconic grounds in World Rugby – Eden Park.
Mahe Vailanu replaces Dave Porecki at hooker, while Tom Lambert and Harry Johnson-Holmes remain in the front row.
Jed Holloway, who leads the competition in lineout steals (6), is joined by Zac Von Appen in the second row, with the latter set to make his Waratahs starting debut.
Hunter Ward will also make his starting debut at openside flanker in place of the Wallaby rested Michael Hooper, while Auckland born Taleni Seu returns to blindside and Will Harris promoted to number 8.
Jake Gordon, fresh off a dominant performance against the Force where he scored a try and set up another, partners Ben Donaldson in the halves.
Joey Walton starts at inside-centre, in place of the Wallaby rested Lalakai Foketi, joining Izaia Perese in the midfield who was back to his dominant best against the Force last week, scoring two tries and making three linebreaks.
Harry Wilson gets his first crack in a starting jersey at fullback, with Max Jorgensen named on the wing in a shortened prep week due to Wallabies commitments, alongside Dylan Pietsch. Mark Nawawqanitawase was also unavailable due to Wallaby resting.
Darren Coleman has again gone with a traditional five-three split for his finishers, with three players set to make their Super Rugby debut off the bench.
Samoan Test prop Nephi Leatigaga, who joined the side on an injury cover contract from the Leicester Tigers, will add plenty of size for the Waratahs set piece off the bench.
Charlie Gamble makes a welcome return from a shoulder injury suffered against the Hurricanes in round 4, while Eastwood product Michael Icely, who trained with the team all throughout the pre-season, is set to make his Waratahs debut off the bench.
NSW Waratahs Academy graduate Jack Bowen, who was recently named in the Australian U20’s squad yesterday, will also get the chance to make his Super Rugby debut.
Darren Coleman said: “It’s a massive challenge for us this weekend playing the Blues in Auckland, we haven’t won there since 2009, so we’re cognisant of that fact.”
“It’s great to see Zac Von Appen, Harry Wilson and Hunter Ward get their starting debuts. All three have had a great summer and put in a lot of work to be in this position.
“We also welcome Nephi Leatigaga, Michael Icely, and Jack Bowen all to potentially play their first game for the Waratahs and there’s no better place to do it, than against the Blues at one of the most iconic venues in World Rugby.
“It’s going to be a fight we’re well up for.”
WARATAHS 23 TO TAKE ON THE BLUES
1 Tom Lambert (Sydney Uni/ Wests Juniors/ Trinity Grammar) 2 Mahe Vailanu (Gordon/ Melbourne Harlequins/ Auckland Grammar) 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney Uni/ Cowra Eagles/ Merewether High School) 4 Jed Holloway (Southern Districts/ Yamba Buccaneers/ Waverley College) 5 Zac Von Appen (Sydney Uni/ Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College) * 6 Taleni Seu (Southern Districts/ Grammar Tech/ Onehunga High School) 7 Hunter Ward (Manly/ Orange City Lions/ St Stanislaus College) * 8 Will Harris (Eastern Suburbs/ Hunters Hill Juniors/ Scots College) 9 Jake Gordon © (Sydney Uni/ Canterbury/ Blackwattle Bay) 10 Ben Donaldson (Randwick/ Clovelly Eagles/ Waverly College) 11 Dylan Pietsch (Randwick/ Leeton Phantoms/ Kings School) 12 Joey Walton (Gordon/ Warnervale Wildcats/ Wadalba High School) 13 Izaia Perese (Randwick/ Aspley State School/ Anglican Church Grammar) 14 Max Jorgensen (Randwick/ Balmain Juniors/ St Joseph’s College) 15 Harry Wilson (Eastwood/ Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College) *
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu (Western Sydney/ Canterbury Juniors/ South Sydney High School) 17 Nephi Leatigaga (Randwick/ Manurewa Rugby Club/ Manurewa High School) + 18 Daniel Botha (Sydney Uni/ Mosman/ Scots College) 19 Michael Icely (Eastwood/ Lindfield/ St Joseph’s College) ++ 20 Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs/ Saracens/ St Bede’s College) 21 Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs/ Harbord Harlequins/ Kings School) 22 Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs/ Chatswood/ St Ignatius College Riverview) + 23 Mosese Tuipulotu (Eastern Suburbs/ Southern Districts (VIC) / St Kevin’s College Melbourne)
*Denotes Waratahs starting debut
+Denotes Super Rugby debut
++Denotes Waratahs Super Rugby debut
Players unavailable for selection: Angus Bell – Toe (Season) Dave Porecki – HIA (Round 10) Hugh Sinclair – Shoulder (Round 10+) Lalakai Foketi – Wallaby rest (Round 10) Langi Gleeson – Calf (Round 10) Mark Nawaqanitawase – Wallaby rest (Round 10) Michael Hooper – Wallaby rest (Round 10) Ned Hanigan – HIA (Round 10) Nemani Nadolo – Knee (Round 13+) Tane Edmed – Back (Round 11+) Tiaan Tauakipulu – Knee (Round 10) Will Harrison - ACL (Season)
Players Available for Shute Shield Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs) Ben Dowling (Randwick) Harrison Goddard (Gordon) Sateki Latu (Warringah) Zane Marolt (Eastern Suburbs)
