Holloway set for second row start at Suncorp

Thu, May 31, 2018, 3:00 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has opted to give Jed Holloway his first start in the second row at Super Rugby level. Phipps also edges out teammate Jake Gordon at nine.

Jed Holloway is set to start in the second row for the first time in Super Rugby this weekend, when the Waratahs take on the Reds.

Holloway has been named to start alongside Rob Simmons in the clash, with Tom Staniforth shifted back to the bench.

The 25-year-old came off the bench into the second row against the Chiefs, but has never started for the Waratahs at lock.

Coach Daryl Gibson said he simply wanted to see what Holloway could show in the second row, after playing in the backrow almost exclusively for NSW.

Jed Holloway. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley“He hasn't played there since probably 2014 regularly and with Ned still recovering from that knee injury, just felt it was an ideal opportunity to see what he could do as a second rower,” he said.

“Obviously, very athletic, he's got all those ball carrying abilities that he brings to the game but a slightly different role this week.”

Holloway is one of two changes to the Waratahs’ starting lineup, with Nick Phipps getting the nod over Jake Gordon after a month of the pair rotating between the starting nine position.

“Nick Phipps has been preferred for this game at nine, which ends that rotational opportunity that I gave both,” Gibson said.

“The feeling there is Nick's just shaded Jake with his service.”

The Waratahs are looking to extend an eight-game winning streak against Queensland when they head to Brisbane and Gibson said he felt the old-school rivalry was really returning to the clash.

“I think it's returning to those standards, particularly in the way that Queensland play the game,” he said.

“Brad's set his team up to be very physical and that's what the game was last time.

“A lot of big collisions, a lot of physicality, so we look back in history and those are the games that we remember.”

The Waratahs take on the Reds on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.

TEAM

IN: Shambeckler Vui

OUT: Paddy Ryan

Waratahs to face the Reds 

1. Tom Robertson

2. Damien Fitzpatrick

3. Sekope Kepu

4. Jed Holloway

5. Rob Simmons

6. Will Miller

7. Michael Hooper

8. Michael Wells

9. Nick Phipps

10. Bernard Foley

11. Taqele Naiyaravoro

12. Kurtley Beale

13. Curtis Rona

14. Cam Clark

15. Israel Folau

Reserves

16. Tolu Latu

17. Harry Johnson-Holmes

18. Shambeckler Vui

19. Tom Staniforth

20. Brad Wilkin

21. Jake Gordon

22. Lalakai Foketi

23. Bryce Hegarty

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