The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Melbourne Rebels in Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Friday at 7:35pm AEDT at Allianz Stadium.
Head Coach Darren Coleman has welcomed back Will Harrison and Lalakai Foketi for their first games of 2024.
Harrison and Foketi's returns are portrayals of tremendous resilience and mental strength.
After a series of heartbreaking injuries, this will be Harrison's first Super Rugby Pacific game in 707 days, whilst Foketi was hospitalised with a neck injury during the pre-season, but after being cleared of any serious cervical spine injuries, he's fought his way back into the team.
“It’s great news,” Assistant Coach Chris Whitaker said. “They both received a big cheer in the team meeting when the team was announced.
“They’ve both obviously had different injury setbacks but they’ve both shown a lot of mental fortitude and strength of character to come back from their injuries.
“They boys saw Lalakai taken away in an ambulance which was quite frightening for them so they’re happy to see him back. He gives us a lot of experience in that backline and the boys love to play with him.
“It’s been a long battle for Will Harrison. It’s so good to see him back. The boys have seen him in here every day working on his injuries. He’s raring to go and he’s a little terrier who will give us plenty of energy.
“He’s done a lot of hard work to get back to where he is. He’s played some good games for us in our Waratahs A team and played 80 minutes for Randwick last week also.”
Harrison and Foketi's return to the reserves list will see the Waratahs carry an extra back on the bench, with Triston Reilly and Fergus Lee-Warner dropping out of the 23.
In other changes to the side that went down in Golden Point last week to the Drua, Tom Ross, Hugh Sinclair, and Lachlan Swinton have been named in the starting side, with Harry Johnson-Holmes, and Ned Hanigan reverting to the reserves list to provide impact.
“We had a tough trip last week to Fiji,” Whitaker explained. “The travel, along with the heat, along with the extra time was a big thing so there’s a bit of a rotation there. Those guys have been playing some really good footy for us off the bench and deserve an opportunity to start.”
Whitaker is anticipating a tough encounter against the Rebels and hopes to see a big crowd at Allianz Stadium for the double header.
“The Rebels play some really good football. Carter Gordon is a real threat and likes to throw the ball around a fair bit. His kicking game is a threat as well so our back three will have to be sharp.
“Up front, they’ve also got some really good ball carriers and they’ll attack us through the middle so we’ve got to be prepared for that.
“At scrum-time and set-piece, they’re also very good with Taniela up front, so across the board, it’s important that we fire our shots because they’re a team that can score some points.”
Position
1. Loosehead Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead Prop
4. Left Lock
5. Right Lock
6. Left Flanker
7. Right Flanker
8. Number 8
9. Scrumhalf
10. Flyhalf
11. Left Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Right Wing
15. Fullback
16. Reserve
17. Reserve
18. Reserve
19. Reserve
20. Reserve
21. Reserve
22. Reserve
23. Reserve
Name
Angus Bell (Sydney University)
Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
Tom Ross (Northern Suburbs)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Ned Hanigan (Randwick)
Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
Will Harrison (Randwick)
Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (TBC)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (Round 8)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (TBC)
- Daniel Botha - Neck (Round 7+)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 6: NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels.
Friday March 29 at Allianz Stadium.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEDT.
Purchase your tickets here.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
