The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Western Force in round eight of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has made three changes to his starting XV that narrowly lost to the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
Tom Lambert replaces Te Tera Faulkner at loose head joining David Porecki and Harry Johnson-Holmes in the front row.
Jed Holloway, who leads the competition in lineout steals (6), once again partners Ned Hanigan in the second row.
Lachlan Swinton returns at blindside flanker, after missing the Brumbies match, while Taleni Seu moves to number eight and Michael Hooper at openside. Hooper becomes the 5th most capped Waratah in Super Rugby when he plays his 135th Super Rugby match in sky blue.
Jake Gordon continues to build his partnership with Wallaby teammate Ben Donaldson in the halves. Donaldson and Mark Nawaqanitawase are the only two Waratahs to play every minute of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Lalakai Foketi once again forms an all-Wallaby midfield pairing with Izaia Perese. Mark Nawaqanitawse, who leads the team in carries (55), run metres (428) and tackle breaks (22) joins Dylan Pietsch on the wing, with Waratahs leading try scorer Max Jorgensen at fullback.
Darren Coleman has again gone with a traditional five-three split for his finishers, with Mahe Vailanu returning from a knee injury suffered against the Hurricanes, and Teddy Wilson recalled in place of Harrison Goddard.
Darren Coleman said: “We’re really happy to be able to name such a stable team, it’s one of the first times this season we have put out the same backline in back-to-back matches.”
“Tom Lambert and Te Tera Faulkner have done a great job interchanging between the starting team and the finishers and we welcome back Lachlan Swinton who was a late pull out against the Brumbies.
“We understand the importance of this game in the scheme of our season and have a duty to play well for our fans. We really appreciate their support and want to earn their respect back, and I know the boys will be on point to give our best performance of the year.”
WARATAHS TEAM TO TAKE ON THE FORCE
1 Tom Lambert (Sydney Uni/ Wests Juniors/ Trinity Grammar) 2 Dave 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 Ned Hanigan (Randwick/ Coonamble Rams/ St Joseph’s College) 6 Lachlan Swinton (Sydney Uni/ Wahroonga Tigers/ Knox Grammar School) 7 Michael Hooper (Manly/ Manly Roos/ St Pius X College) 8 Taleni Seu (Southern Districts/ Grammar Tech/ Onehunga High School) 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 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 Max Jorgensen (Randwick/ Balmain Juniors/ St Joseph’s College) Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu (Gordon/ Melbourne Harlequins/ Auckland Grammar) 17 Te Tera Faulkner (Southern Districts/ Moorabin Rams/ Marist College Canberra) 18 Daniel Botha (Sydney Uni/ Mosman/ Scots College) 19 Zac Von Appen (Sydney Uni/ Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College) 20 Will Harris (Eastern Suburbs/ Hunters Hill Juniors/ Scots College) 21 Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs/ Harbord Harlequins/ Kings School) 22 Joey Walton (Gordon/ Warnervale Wildcats/ Wadalba High School) 23 Harry Wilson (Eastwood/ Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College)
Players unavailable for selection: Angus Bell – Toe (Season) Charlie Gamble – Shoulder (Round 9+) Hugh Sinclair – Shoulder (Round 9) Langi Gleeson – Calf (Round 9) Mosese Tuipulotu – Knee (Round 9) Sateki Latu – Neck (Round 9) Tane Edmed – Back (Round 9) Tiaan Tauakipulu – Knee (Round 10) Will Harrison - ACL (Season)
Players Available for Shute Shield: Ben Dowling (Randwick) Harrison Goddard (Gordon) Hunter Ward (Manly) Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs) Nemani Nadolo (Western Sydney) Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs) Tolu Latu (Western Sydney) Zane Marolt (Eastern Suburbs)
Match Details NSW Waratahs v Western Force Saturday 15 April - Allianz Stadium, Sydney Kick-off 7:35pm AEDT Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
