Darren Coleman welcomes back four Wallabies to the starting XV that faces the Blues in Auckland this Friday night.
A new front row will form with David Porecki returning alongside Te Tera Faulkner. Archer Holz will move into the starting side replacing injured Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Jed Holloway who leads the competition in lineout wins (87) returns and will join Wallabies partner Ned Hannigan who led the team in carries last weekend (11).
Lachlan Swinton will remain at blindside. Michael Hooper will look to become the Waratahs 4th most capped player (141 caps) this Friday night, he will continue at openside flanker. Langi Gleeson will move into the starting number eight position.
Harrison Goddard will start at scrumhalf with Waratahs captain Jake Gordon unavailable due to concussion protocols. Goddard will partner with Ben Donaldson in the halves.
Newly re-signed Lalakai Foketi will return to inside centre, Foketi has been sidelined due to an ankle injury since going down in round 11 against the Rebels. Joey Walton will look to continue his impressive form at outside centre.
The back three will remain the same from last week, with Dylan Pietsch and Izaia Perese on the wings. Mark Nawaqanitwase who leads the team in carry metres (980) and defenders beaten (43) will stay at fullback.
Head Coach Darren Coleman welcomes back Teddy Wilson to his conventual 5-3 bench. Wilson has been unavailable due Under 20s commitments; he will look to finish the game with Tane Edmed and his brother Harry Wilson.
Darren Coleman said: “After disappointing & letting down our home town supporters in the last regular season game of the year at home on Saturday, we have re-set and are excited by the challenge to redeem ourselves.
“We understand the enormity of the opposition on their home patch, but its something we look forward to ripping into.
“We’ve had a good short week of prep and will play like a team with nothing to lose.”
1 Te Tera Faulkner (Southern Districts/ Moorabin Rams/ Marist College Canberra)
2 David Porecki (Manly/ Manly Roos/ Redlands)
3 Archer Holz (Eastern Suburbs/ The Kings 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 Langi Gleeson (Manly/ Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College)
9 Harrison Goddard (Gordon/ Dural/ Oakhill College)
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 Joey Walton (Gordon/ Warnervale Wildcats/ Wadalba High School)
14 Izaia Perese (Randwick/ Aspley State School/ Anglican Church Grammar)
15 Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood/ St Patrick’s College)
16 Mahe Vailanu (Gordon/ Melbourne Harlequins/ Auckland Grammar)
17 Tom Lambert (Sydney Uni/ West Juniors/ Trinity Grammar)
18 Nephi Leatigaga (Randwick/ Manurewa Rugby Club/ Manurewa High School)
19 Taleni Seu (Southern Districts/ Grammar Tech/ Onehunga High School)
20 Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs/ Saracens/ St Bede’s College)
21 Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs / Harbord Harlequins / Kings School)
22 Tane Edmed (Eastwood/ Trinity Grammar)
23 Harry Wilson (Eastwood/Harbord Harlequins/ St Augustine’s College)
Players unavailable for selection:
Angus Bell – Toe (Season)
Harry Johnson-Holmes – Ankle (Season)
Jake Gordon- Concussion
Max Jorgensen- Knee
Will Harrison - ACL (Season)
Zac Von Appen – TBC
Friday 9th June
Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 5:35 PM (AEST)
