The NSW Waratahs have made two changes to the starting side that won their Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 clash against the Highlanders for their Round 3 fixture against the Fijian Drua at Allianz Stadium on Friday night due to injury.
Sidelined are fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii with a toe injury, and Joey Walton, who played at inside centre against the Highlanders, with a groin injury.
Their absence from the team for 'Culture Round' clash has led to NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar moving Andrew Kellaway into fullback from the left wing where he played against the Highlanders.
Darby Lancaster has been elevated from the bench where he played from in Round 1 to start on the left wing, while Triston Reilly, who featured for the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s in their win over the Brumbies Runners last Saturday, has been selected on the bench.
Walton’s injury has led to Lalakai Foketi moving in one position to start at inside centre, while Henry O’Donnell will start at outside centre where Foketi started two weeks ago.
O’Donnell will be one of two players set to make their debuts for NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.
The other debutant will be Wallabies prop Isaac Kailea who has been named on the bench.
McKellar said Suaalii and Walton would be missed but added that such a scenario was helped by knowing the depth of talent at his disposal to draw on from the squad.
“Joey hurt his groin in the game against the Highlanders; so, he's going to be out for a couple of weeks,” McKellar said.
“Joseph is carrying a toe injury. We haven't got all the details yet, but hopefully that's short-term.”
McKellar said Suaalii’s injury was also sustained in the Round 1 game against the Highlanders, but there had been hope he would be able to play this week.
“He pulled up sore but recovered quite well and we thought he would be right for this week, but unfortunately he is not.”
McKellar said the selection of his team reflected the rich depth of choice he has to cover for such scenarios. “We have depth in the back three,“ McKellar said.
“We put ‘Kells’ back to full-back, gave Darby Lancaster a start on the wing, and Triston Reilly comes off the bench, and then Henry O’Donnell to start and make his debut.
“Henry is a born and bred New South Welshman, loves the Waratahs. This is his home state, so he's excited. It'll be a great day for him and his family.
“It will also be great for Isaac [Kailea] to come into the group.
“Has experience at Test level, played well for the Rebels last year. We're excited with Isaac and with what he can bring off the bench.”
1. Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University - Australia)
2. Hooker David Porecki (Manly - Australia, England, Poland)
3. Tighthead Prop Taniela Tupou (West Harbour, Tonga)
4. Left Lock Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs, Australia)
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs, Australia, Nigeria)
Left Flanker Rob Leota (Eastern Suburbs, Samoa)
Right Flanker Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs, Tonga)
Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly, Fiji)
Scrumhalf Jake Gordon © (Sydney University, Australia)
Flyhalf Tane Edmed (Eastwood, Australia)
Left Wing Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs, Australia)
Inside Centre Lalakai Foketi (Manly, Tonga, Maori)
Outside Centre Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs, Australia, Germany)
Right Wing Max Jorgensen (Randwick, Australia, England, Russia)
Fullback Andrew Kellaway (Randwick, Australia)
Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon, Tonga)
Reserve Isaac Kailea (Randwick, Tonga, Chile)
Reserve Siosifa Amone (Northern Suburbs, Tonga)
Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University, Australia)
Reserve Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs, England)
Reserve Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs, Australia)
Reserve Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs, Australia)
Reserve Triston Reilly (Randwick, Indigenous)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (toe)
Joey Walton (groin)
Fergus Lee-Warner (foot)
Lucas Ripley (shoulder)
NSW Waratahs v The Fijian Drua
When: at 7.35 pm Friday, 28 February 2025
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
To purchase your tickets, click HERE
The game will be televised Live, ad-free and on-demand on Stan Sport – The Home of Rugby
