The Waratahs are continuing to find the right back-row combination as they prepare for a tricky Fijian Drua challenge.
Coach Darren Coleman has elevated Langi Gleeson to the starting side at number eight, pushing Charlie Gamble to the bench.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
It's the tenth different combination Coleman has used in the back row since joining the Waratahs at the start of 2022, having swapped between nine different players.
This is reflected in their bench, opting for a six-two bench with Gamble and Will Harris as a result of the luxury they have in the position.
We probably return to a more balanced back row with Langi Gleeson coming in at eight, Charlie (Gamble) will give us good energy off the bench along with Will Harris," assistant coach Jason Gilmore said.
“We’re comfortable Langi will give us good stability on both sides of the ball...in terms of his ball carry, we know he’s exceptional. He set that try up for Jake (Gordon) at the end and gives us a big ball carrier in the middle of the field. He’s also a really good edge defender. He’s fast and a force on both sides.
“(He had) minimal time in the trials but is starting to build into some form so he gets the start this week.
Along with this, it's the fifth involving a different six-eight combination around Michael Hooper (Gamble/Harris, Gamble/Warren-Vosayaco, Gleeson/Harris, Swinton/Gamble and Swinton/Gleeson) as they try and figure out how the play Gamble alongside the four-time John Eales Medalist.
“Charlie is a bit like Pete Samu, he can play six and eight but (is) favoured at seven. We also have the Wallabies stand-down periods so ‘Hoops’ will have to take a couple games off as well,” Gilmore said.
“He’s got his second child due in a month as well so there will be opportunities for Charlie to start at seven as well.”
Gilmore knows better than most what to expect from the Drua, guiding Australia A to victory over the national team in last July's Pacific Nations Cup.
They once again avoid a trip to Fiji on account of Super Round, with Gilmore keeping the tactics straight-forward as they look to bounce back after last week's defeat.
“Field position is really important. You have to make sure you are giving them the ball in the right area. Generally, they’ll kick return instead of kicking back so we know if we get a good kick chase line and kick deep, there’s opportunities for us to pin them down hopefully," he said.
“They love their offloads so how we can tackle and wrap that ball up is going to be important so they don’t get those second-phase plays. If we can keep it a more structured game than unstructured, it’s not rocket science against Fiji but you need the maturity to keep to that game plan.
“We were probably but anxious last week. There was a big build-up to coming back home for the first time in a while, playing the Brumbies which is almost like the Reds game in terms of tribalism. I just think we may have been cooked mentally going into it or thinking too much about it.
“We’ve got that game out of the way and definitely training harder but I think we’re also more relaxed having that game done so we can settle into the season.”
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
RESERVES: Tolu Latu, Te Tera Faulkner, Dan Botha, Taleni Seu, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Harrison Goddard, Ben Dowling
