The NSW Waratahs’ road home to Allianz Stadium has begun, as the team embarks on a run of three pre-season fixtures starting with the ACT Brumbies this Saturday 4 February at Exies Sports Club in Griffith.
With most of his Wallabies unavailable for the opening trial due to load management in a World Cup year, NSW Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has named an exciting mix of new faces and emerging stars from his 2022 campaign.
Waratahs fans will get to watch new signings Taleni Seu, Harrison Goddard, Nemani Nadolo, and rising star Max Jorgensen wearing Sky-Blue for the first time, with all four players named in the run-on side.
Lachie Swinton makes his first appearance since the opening round of the 2022 season and forms a formidable back-row with Charlie Gamble and Will Harris.
Ben Donaldson will share the play-making duties with Tane Edmed who starts at inside centre, and Jack Bowen, but will also spend time during the match at fullback.
Glasgow Warriors recruit Tom Lambert wears the Sky Blue for the first time since his days in the NSW Waratahs Academy, while Tolu Latu also plays for the Waratahs for the first time since 2019 when he left for Stade Francais - both players will feature in the second half.
Coleman was excited to see his new recruits and his wider playing squad in action for the first time in 2023.
“After 13 solid training weeks, the staff and players are super excited to finally play some rugby,” Coleman said.
“I feel we’re in a different stage of our development than this trial last year, we’ve had a lot more time together and boys have greater clarity in how we want to play.
“These trials are a great opportunity to reward the boys who have worked hard through the pre-season, get them some game time, and allow them to compete for round one spots.
“The Brumbies as always will be a stern test and a great way to kick off our run of pre-season fixtures.”
The NSW Waratahs match against the ACT Brumbies will be streamed live on BarTV - click here for more details
WARATAHS 1st HALF TEAM
1) Te Tera Faulkner, 2) Mahe Vailanu, 3) Archer Holz, 4) Ned Hanigan, 5) Taleni Seu, 6) Lachie Swinton, 7) Charlie Gamble, 8) Will Harris, 9) Harrison Goddard, 10) Ben Donaldson, 11) Dylan Pietsch, 12) Tane Edmed, 13) Harry Wilson, 14) Nemani Nadolo, 15) Max Jorgensen
WARATAHS 2ND HALF TEAM
1)Tom Lambert, 2) Tolu Latu, 3) Tiaan Tauakipulu, 4) Zane Marolt, 5) Ola Tauelangi, 6) Michael Icely, 7) Hunter Ward, 8) Langi Gleeson, 9) Teddy Wilson, 10) Jack Bowen, 11) Harry Wilson, 12) Henry O’Donnell, 13) Mosese Tuipulotu, 14) James Hendren, 15) Ben Dowling
RESERVES
Sateki Latu, Thomas Maka, Fritz Jahnke-Tavana
