Horne into midfield for Waratahs

Wed, May 25, 2016, 3:37 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Rob Horne will be moved into the Waratahs centres. Photo: Getty Images
Rob Horne will be moved into the Waratahs centres. Photo: Getty Images

Rob Horne will move to the centres for the Waratahs this weekend, as they face a crunch game against the Chiefs.

Horne has been named at inside centre for the match to team up with flyhalf Bernard Foley and outside centre Israel Folau, with David Horwitz moving to the bench.

When incumbent Waratahs 12 Kurtley Beale was injured a fortnight ago, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson initially indiciated a reluctance to move Horne off the wing, despite his experience as a centre, given that gave him the best chance of a startign Wallabies spot.

The move has opened the door for changes on the wing, with veteran Matt Carraro and Zac Guildford brought into the starting side for Friday's match.

Reece Robinson is back on the pine, after starting in recent weeks.

Wycliff Palu is also back in the starting side, after Jed Holloway injured his arm in last weekend's match with the Crusaders.

The Waratahs currently sit on top of the Australian conference, one point ahead of the Brumbies, with four matches remaining.

Attack coach Chris Malone said on Tuesday the Waratahs wanted to make their home fans proud, in their last match before the Test series break.

"It's another conference-leading battle so it should be a great game and a good one to get along to," he said.

"We know that there's things we've got to be better at than we were last weekend but in saying that we want to go out and put a performance out that we're proud of as individuals and as a team this weekend.

"If we can do that, we know we can come away with what we want."

The match is their second consecutive against a New Zealand team, after three matches against South African sides and Malone said there were adjustments that needed to be made.

"They're really different in the way they defend compared to the South Africans and compared to the Aussie teams as well," he said.

"You do have to adjust your game but playing the top teams and testing yourself against the best is what it's all about. The reality is we're leading the conference, we go against the New Zealand leaders and that should make for a cracking game."

The Waratahs host the Chiefs on Friday night at Allianz Stadium at 7:40pm AEST, LIVE on FOXSPORTS 2 502

Team

1. Paddy Ryan

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau

3. Tom Robertson

4. Dave Dennnis

5. Will Skelton

6. Dean Mumm

7. Michael Hooper

8. Wycliff Palu

9. Nick Phipps

10. Bernard Foley

11. Zac Guildford

12. Rob Horne

13. Israel Folau

14. Matt Carraro

15. Andrew Kellaway

Reserves

16. Hugh Roach

17. Jeremy Tilse

18. Angus Ta'avao

19. Sam Lousi

20. Jack Dempsey

21. Matt Lucas

22. David Horwitz

23. Reece Robinson

Share
Super Rugby Women's Team of the Week: Looking at the best players from Round Two
Allana Sikimeti: battling her way to the Brumbies
'I'm excited to be back': Carter rushed into Force squad ahead of Fiji clash
Test backrow battle looms large ahead of QLD-ACT double header in Brisbane