The NSW Waratahs have made two changes to the starting line-up for the main event of the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma against the Reds on Saturday (5:45PM kick-off).
Tom Girle (blindside flanker) and Isaac Fonua (number eight) replace Justice Taumoepeau and Pete Samu from the 38-19 win against the Brumbies in Bungendore last weekend. Taumoepeau has been selected for New Zealand U18s, while Samu has been ruled out the rest of the tournament with a scapula injury.
The Round 2 Swyftx Super Rugby AUS clash is the headline fixture on Saturday of the Santos Festival of Rugby, with our U19s, women’s and women’s 7s sides also taking on the Reds in Roma.
Head Coach Lachlan McCaffrey was excited for Girle and Fonua to get their chance from the get-go on Saturday.
“Isaac (Fonua) has been impressive over the last 12 months and he gets an opportunity to start. As does Tommy (Girle), who was obviously a big part of Easts winning the Shute Shield,” McCaffrey said.
“He (Girle) will come in at that six-lock position. He's just a hard-working, tough forward and we watched him over those last probably five, six games of Shute Shield and he was outstanding. It’s nice to give them both an opportunity.
“We came up against a Super Rugby Brumbies backline last weekend and we scored 33 points to seven in the first 40 minutes. I think Otto (Serfontein) in the centres, Latrell (Smiler Ah Kiong) on one wing, Freedom (Vahaakolo) on the other, they didn't look out of place at all. It was just brilliant to see guys like that get an opportunity and then deliver on that stage.
“All these guys then grow that belief and confidence that they belong at this level. Also for coaches within this building, and other coaches, are thinking they're a real possibility to become a professional Super Rugby player.
“That is what this competition is about and hopefully we see all these players in a Waratahs Super Rugby jersey at some point moving forward.”
The front-row remains the same as last weekend, with Australia U20s prop Edwin Langi impressing alongside Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific regulars Tom Lambert and Ethan Dobbins.
Eamon Doyle leads the side from lock once again, partnering Miles Amatosero in the second-row. Amatosero topped the tackle count last weekend in Bungendore with 16/16 tackles made.
Girle, 20, gets his chance after an impressive Shute Shield campaign with the winners Easts. He is joined by Marshall Le Maitre and Fonua in the back-row. Fonua, 19, played in all but one of Australia U20s’ matches in the World Junior Rugby Championships in Georgia earlier this year.
The backline remains the same as Round 1, with Teddy Wilson and Max Burey in the halves. Wilson scored two tries while Burey made two line breaks in last weekend’s win.
In the centres, George Poolman and Otto Serfontein retain their places. Poolman made 13 carries and 14 tackles, while Serfontein scored our final try.
In the back three, Freedom Vahaakolo and Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong are selected on the wings with Sid Harvey at full-back. Vahaakolo (twice) and Smiler Ah-Kiong both dotted down last week on their Waratahs’ debuts, with Vahaakolo also topping our charts for metres gained (91m).
On the bench, Tyler Maybery, Joe Mangelsdorf and Luke Reimer are added in the forwards and Charlie Bird and Nick Chan in the backs. Reimer, 26, is set to run out in a Waratahs jersey for the first time.
Reds v NSW Waratahs
Round 2, Swyftx Super Rugby AUS, Saturday 19 September, 5:45PM AEST kick-off
Gallas Fox Park, Warrego Hwy, Roma, QLD 4455
Starting XV:
- Tom Lambert
- Ethan Dobbins
- Edwin Langi
- Eamon Doyle (c)
- Miles Amatosero
- Tom Girle
- Marshall Le Maitre
- Isaac Fonua
- Teddy Wilson
- Max Burey
- Freedom Vahaakolo
- George Poolman
- Otto Serfontein
- Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong
- Sid Harvey
Replacements:
16. Tyler Maybery
17. Brady Dawson
18. Will Goddard
19. Joe Mangelsdorf
20. Angus Scott-Young
21. Luke Reimer
22. Angus Grover
23. Joe Dillon
24. Charlie Bird
25. Nick Chan
