NSW Waratahs fly-half Jack Debreczeni has been selected to make his 100th Super Rugby appearance in Saturday’s Round 13 tie against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium (2.35pm kick-off AEST).
Debreczeni, 32, has been promoted from the bench to fill in at his preferred position of number 10. He will become only the third player in the Waratahs squad to hit the milestone behind Jake Gordon (currently 118 caps) and Pete Samu (112 for Crusaders, Brumbies and Waratahs).
There are four changes in total to the starting line-up, with Isaac Kailea and Dan Botha in the front-row, Miles Amatosero at lock and Debreczeni at 10. Jake Gordon will captain the team from scrum-half in the absence of Matt Philip, who has a short-term calf injury.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar is looking to put last week’s 17-20 loss to the Western Force behind the squad, while offering congratulations to Debreczeni on his century of caps.
“We were disappointed with the result and performance against the Force,” McKellar said.
“Travelling to Dunedin to face the Highlanders is a tough assignment for any team, but we’ll be ready come Saturday.
“Debs (Jack) has become an important part of the group and his experience is an asset to the team. Congratulations to him for reaching such a significant milestone.”
The front-row sees Isaac Kailea called in at loosehead with Tom Lambert suffering a knee injury against the Western Force. Ethan Dobbins retains his place at hooker, while Dan Botha served his one-match suspension last weekend.
With captain Matt Philip unavailable, Amatosero is named at lock, with Blyth keeping his place on the other side.
Angus Scott‑Young retains his place at blindside flanker, as he once again made the highest number of successful tackles against the Western Force, this time with a whopping 32.
Charlie Gamble is named at openside flanker, with Samu continuing at number eight. The latter has played the most amount of minutes for the Waratahs this season (782 from 800).
Scrum-half Jake Gordon continues to reach milestones each week and this weekend will draw level with Bernard Foley as the ninth most-capped Waratah in Super Rugby with 119.
Debreczeni is recalled at fly-half and will bring up a century of Super Rugby appearances, having received 54 caps at the Rebels, seven at the Chiefs and 28 at the Brumbies.
With Joey Walton ruled out through a neck injury, Lawson Creighton shifts across to inside centre to partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
The back three remains the same as previously in the shape of Sid Harvey, Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen (still at full-back). The latter has an excellent record against this weekend’s opposition, scoring a try in each of his last two Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Highlanders, making two line breaks and nine tackle breaks across those games.
On the bench, Jack Barrett, Clem Halaholo, Leafi Talataina, Jack Bowen and Harry Potter are all recalled, with Halaholo offering second-row coverage.
Highlanders v NSW Waratahs
Round 13 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific, Saturday 9 May, 2.35pm kick-off AEST
Forsyth Barr Stadium, 130 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin 9508, New Zealand
Starting XV:
- Isaac Kailea
- Ethan Dobbins
- Dan Botha
- Miles Amatosero
- Angus Blyth
- Angus Scott-Young
- Charlie Gamble
- Pete Samu
- Jake Gordon ©
- Jack Debreczeni
- Sid Harvey
- Lawson Creighton
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Andrew Kellaway
- Max Jorgensen
Replacements:
16. Folau Faingaa
17. Jack Barrett
18. Apolosi Ranawai
19. Clem Halaholo
20. Leafi Talataina
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Jack Bowen
23. Harry Potter
Injury list:
- Jamie Adamson – cheekbone injury
- Ben Grant – concussion
- James Hendren - hamstring
- Tom Lambert - knee
- Matt Philip - calf
- Joey Walton - neck
