NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman expects a fired-up Mark Nawaqanitawase to be at his best after naming the winger to start against the Chiefs in Sydney.
Nawaqanitawase missed the win over the Crusaders a fortnight ago, with the Wallaby replacing Dylan Pietsch in the starting side.
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Despite his eventual departure to Rugby League at the end of the year, Coleman was confident the winger would be out to make a statement.
“It’s a bit around rotation. We’ve got three really good wingers that are all competing well and vying hard for that spot,” Coleman explained to reporters on the decision.
“We want to keep players engaged, in form and match fit and now Marky gets his shot.
“I know for a fact missing out against the Crusaders hurt him. He cares about the team and he really wants to finish this rugby stint on a high, so now he gets the chance to make sure he’s undroppable.”
Coleman has also shifted his forward pack around, dropping Jed Holloway and Langi Gleeson to the reserves.
It means Miles Amatosero comes into the starting side whilst Ned Hanigan reverts to the back of the scrum.
"We'd like to see a bit more out of them in their general play," Coleman said.
"Langi around involvement numbers, we'd like to spark him up and get more ball in his hand and Jed has been a flat the last couple of weeks. His lineouts have been good but we'd like to get more bang so hopefully this move to the bench will really spark them."
The Waratahs resisted the temptation to start Will Harrison as Tane Edmed retains the ten jersey.
"We looked at it, discussed it and decided to stay where we are," Coleman added.
"Tane's been solid, he hasn't been poor by any stretch and Will's added real spark. He's coming down from a big high last week and we're also conscious of his knee load."
The Waratahs' front-row woes continue after Theo Fourie was ruled out for the season with a foot injury. It's their third long-term hooker injury and he becomes their eighth unavailable front-rower, seven already ruled out for the rest of the season.
WARATAHS (1-15): Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Julian Heaven, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Hugh Sinclair, Miles Amatosero, Lachlan Swinton, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen
RESERVES: Jay Fonokalafi, Lewis Ponini, Tom Ross, Jed Holloway, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, Izaia Perese
