The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Crusaders in Round 8 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Friday at 7:35pm AEST at Allianz Stadium.
Head Coach Darren Coleman has welcomed back Ned Hanigan, Langi Gleeson, and Triston Reilly to the starting side for the crucial clash against the Crusaders, who they defeated 37-24 in Round 2.
Hanigan returns from a knee injury to start at right lock with Fergus Lee-Warner dropping out of the team, whilst Gleeson will wear the number eight jersey forcing Hugh Sinclair back to the reserves list.
“It’s great to have Ned back,” Coleman said “He was one of our better performers prior to his knee issue.
“You just get wholehearted energy from Ned. He’s such a good all-rounder. He’s got a good carry, good in the ruck, and sharp in the lineout. He really cares about the team, so we’re excited to have Ned back.
"Langi is also another welcome addition to the side this week and has proven how valuable he can be in Super Rugby and at international level."
Reilly delivered many impressive performances earlier in the season and his work ethic at training and irresistible form for Randwick last weekend has seen him leapfrog Mark Nawaqanitawase onto the right wing.
“Triston deserves his chance. We all saw what he did against the Crusaders last time. He missed out for a couple of weeks there, but he took it in the right way. He went back and worked hard on his game, stayed positive and played really well for Randwick on the weekend in the Shute Shield. His effort areas like kick-chase and defence are really strong and I’m looking forward to what he can provide us this weekend.
“It’s been a big headache in our backline but a good headache to have. This week we have all of our contracted backs available which is unheard of. As a result, we’ve got some good players missing out.”
The news isn’t so positive for the Waratahs in the front row stocks with Angus Bell confirmed to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
“Losing Angus is a big blow. Not only for the team but for Australian rugby. He took it pretty hard but there’s a bit of the clouds lifting.
“He’s up in Brisbane on Wednesday to see another specialist and get a plan on how he can do a bit of remodelling on his foot to alleviate the pressure that goes through his toe. At this stage, he’s still gathering opinions from specialists. He’s got some really good medical support around him through the Wallabies and our own medical staff who can advise him. He’ll pick a pathway forward over the next week or so and get on with the rehabilitation of that injury.
“The injuries to our props are really starting to hit the squad. Up front, we’re struggling. There’s no doubt we’re lacking a bit of depth there at the moment. We’ve lost four of our seven contracted props for the season and that’s unheard of, along with our top two hookers in David Porecki and Mahe Vailanu. We’ve got our work cut out to reconfigure a few things and guys like Harry Johnson-Holmes and Hayden Thompson-Stringer are crucial to us at the moment.”
In Bell’s absence, Lewis Ponini will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut from the reserves list.
“It’s a good opportunity for Lewis. As they say when one door shuts another one opens. I think you’ll see a really enthusiastic performance out of him against the Crusaders.
“He has actually spent some time in his life in Christchurch, so he is quite familiar with a few of the boys he’ll be playing against.”
In other team changes, Izaia Perese will start at outside centre, with Joey Walton shifting back to the reserves list, and Jack Grant replaces Teddy Wilson as the back-up halfback. The Waratahs will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2014 Championship on Friday with the 2014 outfit set to form a guard of honour as the side runs out onto Allianz Stadium.
Position
1. Loosehead Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead Prop
4. Left Lock
5. Right Lock
6. Left Flanker
7. Right Flanker
8. Number 8
9. Scrumhalf
10. Flyhalf
11. Left Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Right Wing
15. Fullback
16. Reserve
17. Reserve
18. Reserve
19. Reserve
20. Reserve
21. Reserve
22. Reserve
23. Reserve
Name
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)
Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Ned Hanigan (Randwick)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
Theo Fourie (Randwick)
Lewis Ponini (Eastern Suburbs)*
Tom Ross (Northern Suburbs)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
Will Harrison (Randwick)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
* Denotes potential Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (TBC)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (TBC)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (TBC)
- Daniel Botha - Achillies (Season)
- Mahe Vailanu - Knee (Season)
- Angus Bell - Toe (Season)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 8: NSW Waratahs v Crusaders.
Friday April 12 at Allianz Stadium.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEST.
Grab your tickets here.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
