The NSW Waratahs have named their team for their clash against the West Harbour Pirates and Western Sydney Two Blues at Concord Oval this Saturday.
The Shute Shield trials will be the final fixture of the Waratah’s pre-season and build on the success of last year’s event, providing the team with the opportunity to connect with the rugby community in Western Sydney.
The Waratahs will play a 40-minute match against each of the Shute Shield sides with the fixtures set to be the first played at the recently refurbished Concord Oval - the new home of the West Harbour Pirates.
In a further win for fans, the event will be free of charge and will feature a host of gameday activations and a meet and greet with the Waratahs team.
NSW Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman has given his wider squad an opportunity to impress and several stars a chance to build some match fitness ahead of the start of the season.
New recruit Zane Marolt has been named to start his first match of the pre-season in the second row alongside Waratahs Academy lock Fritz Jahnke-Tavana.
Hugh Sinclair will captain the side at blindside flanker and forms an exciting backrow with Hunter Ward and Michael Icely.
Junior Wallaby teammates Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen have been named in the halves, while Mosese Tuipulotu will look to continue his strong pre-season form at outside centre.
Australian Seven’s star Ben Dowling gets his first crack at fullback and rounds out the back three with Nemani Nadolo and Harry Wilson.
Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was excited to connect with the rugby community in Western Sydney and the chance to have a closer look at his wider squad.
“This match is a great opportunity to connect with the Shute Shield teams, particularly our Western Sydney clubs, and we want it to be a strong rugby breeding area for our team,” Coleman said.
“We’ve got a couple of guys who will be involved in round one that we want to get some extra match time into, and we have a lot of boys who have trained hard over the summer that are looking for an opportunity to impress.
“So, you’ll definitely see plenty of energy and enthusiasm in this match and we’re thrilled the Pirates have made it a free event so we’re hoping for a strong crowd.”
The NSW Waratah match will be streamed live via NSW Rugby TV.
📆 SAT 18 FEB
⏰ 3PM
🏟️ Concord Oval, Concord, NSW
📺 Live & exclusive on NSW Rugby TV
WARATAHS Starting Team
1)Sateki Latu
2) Thomas Maka
3) Dan Botha
4) Zane Marolt
5) Fritz Jahnke-Tavana
6) Hugh Sinclair (c)
7) Hunter Ward
8) Michael Icely
9) Teddy Wilson
10) Jack Bowen
11) Harry Wilson
12) Henry O’Donnell
13) Mosese Tuipulotu
14) Nemani Nadolo
15) Ben Dowling
Finishers: 16) Oniti Finau, 17) Jack Barrett, 18) Brad Amitanuai, 19) Seb Buchanan, 20) Ola Tauelangi, 21) Dan Nelson, 22) Sione Hopoate, 23) Jayden Blake, 25) Charlie Worthington, 26) George Gibson, 27) Jaydon Viliamu
