It's Miller time as Tahs go for two on-ballers for Sharks

Thu, Mar 1, 2018, 7:00 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
A late try earns the Waratahs a 34-27 victory over the Stormers.

The Waratahs have all the tools to deploy their own version of 'Pooper', with Will Miller named on the bench for their clash with the Sharks.

Miller comes on to the bench to fill the hole left by Jed Holloway, who shifts into the starting XV as part of a rejigged forward pack.

Holloway will start at No. 8, with Michael Wells shifting to blindside flanker and Ned Hanigan packing down at lock in place of the injured Rob Simmons.

The rest of the starting XV remains stable, with the other significant change coming in the inclusion of uncapped prop Kalivati Tawake ahead of Shambeckler Vui.

Talking to reporters from Durban on Thursday, Gibson said the inclusion of Miller would give a mobile Waratahs pack the flexibility to play two fetchers.

"It gives us the chance to play two genuine on ballers," Gibson said.

"Hopefully with big, strong tackle contests, we'll be able to do some damage on the ball.

"Will's well suited to that, he played well through our trials and now we've had the opportunity to place him on the bench.

"It'll be a good introduction for him."

TEAM

Waratahs team to face the Sharks

1. Tom Robertson (28)

2. Damien Fitzpatrick (32)

3. Paddy Ryan (92)

4. Ned Hanigan (16)

5. Tom Staniforth (1)

6. Michael Wells (16)

7. Michael Hooper (81, captain)

8. Jed Holloway (24)

9. Jake Gordon (13)

10. Bernard Foley (88, vice-captain)

11. Curtis Rona (1)

12. Kurtley Beale (111)

13. Lalakai Foketi (1)

14. Andrew Kellaway (21)

15. Israel Folau (76)

Reserves:

16. Hugh Roach (31)

17. Harry Johnson-Holmes (1)

18. Kalivati Tawake (*)

19. Nick Palmer (1)

20. Will Miller (*)

21. Mitch Short (*)

22. Bryce Hegarty (14)

23. Alex Newsome (1)

Share
WATCH LIVE: Queensland Reds, Western Force open Super Rugby AUS season
Wallaroo Ruby Anderson headlines the U19s squad for Saturday's opening game. Photo: Getty Images
WATCH LIVE: NextGen XV's kicks off as U19 Green faces U19 Gold
Siya Kolisi knows the Springboks face a tough task against the All Blacks in Baltimore. Photo: Getty Images
Kolisi, Springboks wary of new-look All Blacks in Baltimore test
L-R: Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona with Mary Fowler, along with Wallaroos teammates Tania Naden and Eva Karpani. Photo: IG/@maryfowlerrr
Mary Magic inspiring Wallaroos ahead of world champions England clash