Rebel Pone Fa'amausili has been thrust straight into the Waratahs side as they continue to deal with a front-row nightmare
The Wallaby will come onto the bench against the Brumbies after his loan deal with the Waratahs was confirmed on Wednesday.
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“Pone gives us experience and size in the crucial prop position where we have been hit by significant injury numbers," Coleman added.
“He’s played at the highest levels of the game and is hungry for opportunity.”
Stuck behind Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Sam Talakai, Fa'amausili was eager for the game time, even hinting at a potential move to the backrow.
“I’d 100 per cent be open to playing there again, but I think I’d have to lose at least 10 kilos – I’m 135 at the moment, so I just need to be disciplined and make the right choices with food," he said to AAP back in March.
“Sammy (Talakai) is really important to our leadership team and what Nela (Tupou) brings no one else can do, so I’ve just got to bide my time."
He joins a Waratahs side that has had the majority of their full-time front-rowers ruled out with injury, with hooker Julian Heaven the latest to be struck down
Heaven, who started on a training deal, injured the AC joint in his right shoulder during the defeat to the Hurricanes and will miss the final four games of the season.
It leaves Jay Fonokalafi, brought into the squad straight from the concrete site two months ago, to start against one-time Wallaby Connal McInerney during Saturday's grudge match against the ACT Brumbies in Sydney.
Randwick hooker Ben Sugars comes onto the bench as the sixth hooker used by the Waratahs in 2024
“It’s a tough blow for Julian,” Coleman said. “He’s been a great story for perseverance and work ethic to grow his game to the level he has got to. I have no doubt he’ll bounce back from this injury.
“Jay’s been with the group on and off for a while now and he showed against the Hurricanes that he’s feeling more comfortable at Super Rugby level. We have full confidence that he’ll take this opportunity with both hands.
“This also provides another opportunity for Ben Sugars from Randwick, who have proven to be a great production line for us this season.”
Langi Gleeson's calf injury has also forced a reshuffle, leaving Jed Holloway to move to number eight as Charlie Gamble returns to the starting side.
“It’s unfortunate to lose Langi for this big game however I’m very confident in Jed’s versatility to cover the Number 8 position and have a big performance in his 100th NSW cap.
“Charlie and Miles come back into the starting team freshened up from fewer minutes last week and I’m expecting some good impact from them against the Brumbies.”
For the Brumbies, Jack Debreczini will start his first game of 2024, with coach Stephen Larkham resting Noah Lolesio.
Harry Vella starts as James Slipper is managed from his knock suffered in the Fijian Drua win whilst Ben O'Donnell returns off the bench following an ACL injury.
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Jay Fonokalafi, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Jed Holloway, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Triston Reilly, Mark Nawaqanitawase
RESERVES: Ben Sugars, Lewis Ponini, Pone Fa'amausili, Hugh Sinclair, Hunter Ward, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Izaia Perese
BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Sosefo Kautai, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ben O'Donnell
