NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has turned to one-cap Wallabies flyhalf Tane Edmed for Friday’s crucial match with the Queensland Reds in Sydney.
It’s one of several changes to the team that went down to the ACT Brumbies, with former skipper Hugh Sinclair and Lalakai Foketi amongst the players to drop out of the side.
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Edmed last started for the Waratahs in Round Three, having spent the past fortnight on the bench, and replaces Lawson Creighton.
“I play quite a lot of footy with Tane, so I feel quite comfortable there. I thought Lawson's done a great job and I thought some of the games we played at home with him and Teddy they led the team around really well. I know Tane’s going to be really excited for this,” captain Jake Gordon said.
“I think (as a) another competitive guy who works his arse off, he will see this as a really good opportunity for himself individually.
In other changes, Sinclair makes way for the returning Fergus Lee-Warner, who is cleared to play after a long term foot injury.
He partners Miles Amatosero in the second-row, with Ben Grant moved to the bench.
Former Wallabies captain Dave Porecki also returns from injury.
Porecki has been sidelined with a calf injury and starts at hooker, joined in the forwards by flanker Charlie Gamble.
In the backline, Henry O’Donnell will line up at outside centre, starting for the first time since Round Eight against Moana Pasifika.
“I think Dan's pretty clear on what he expects and same with the whole coaching team,” Gordon believes.
“If you are not willing to meet that, he's definitely happy to make calls. I think he's been fair in his decision-making.”
For the Queensland Reds, coach Les Kiss has made minimal changes that went down to the Fijian Drua in the last minute.
Filipo Daugunu is the big inclusion, coming at a perfect time following a corked leg to Hunter Paisami.
Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Tom Lynagh all return to the starting side, whilst Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser is cleared from injury to come onto the bench.
“It’s great to have Filipo back for the challenge in Sydney. We have huge respect for NSW and their five-from-five record on home turf this season,” Kiss said.
“Filipo has consistently been one of our best this season and he’s ready to fire. He travelled with the team to Fiji last week to finalise his preparation into this week."
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Felix Kalapu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
