The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the ACT Brumbies in Round 12 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday at 7:35pm AEST at Allianz Stadium.
NSW has again been cruelled by injury which has forced Head Coach Darren Coleman to make some changes to the line-up from last week’s team that faced the top-of-the-table Hurricanes.
Already without incumbent Wallabies hooker David Porecki, Mahe Vailanu, and Theo Fourie, the Waratahs are now without the promising Julian Heaven for the rest of the season after he injured his right AC joint.
Heaven’s absence sees Jay Fonokalafi start in the number two jersey, with Ben Sugars selected on the reserves list to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
“It’s a tough blow for Julian,” Coleman said. “He’s been a great story for perseverance and work ethic to grow his game to the level he has got to. I have no doubt he’ll bounce back from this injury.
“Jay’s been with the group on and off for a while now and he showed against the Hurricanes that he’s feeling more comfortable at Super Rugby level. We have full confidence that he’ll take this opportunity with both hands.
“This also provides another opportunity for Ben Sugars from Randwick, who have proven to be a great production line for us this season.”
Rounding out the forward pack, Miles Amatosero switches with Hugh Sinclair to start at lock, Charlie Gamble with Hunter Ward at openside flanker, and Jed Holloway shifts back to Number 8 after Langi Gleeson was ruled out with a calf injury.
“It’s unfortunate to lose Langi for this big game however I’m very confident in Jed’s versatility to cover the Number 8 position and have a big performance in his 100th NSW cap.
“Charlie and Miles come back into the starting team freshened up from fewer minutes last week and I’m expecting some good impact from them against the Brumbies.”
In the backline, a hamstring injury to Max Jorgensen has resulted in Mark Nawaqanitawase retaining the fullback position. Jorgensen’s injury has been offset by the early return of Joey Walton, who will start at outside centre.
On the interchange bench, the Waratahs have been boosted by the inclusion of experienced prop forward Pone Fa’amausili on a loan deal from the Melbourne Rebels.
“Pone gives us experience and size in the crucial prop position where we have been hit by significant injury numbers.
“He’s played at the highest levels of the game and is hungry for opportunity.”
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)
Jay Fonokalafi (Gordon)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Will Harrison (Randwick)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Ben Sugars (Randwick)*
Lewis Ponini (Eastern Suburbs)
Pone Fa'amausuli (Melbourne Rebels)**
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Hunter Ward (Manly)
Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
*denotes potential Super Rugby Pacific debut
**denotes potential NSW Waratahs debut
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (Season)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (Season)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (Season)
- Daniel Botha - Achillies (Season)
- Mahe Vailanu - Knee (Season)
- Angus Bell - Toe (Season)
- Theo Fourie - Foot (Season)
- Ned Hanigan - Neck (TBC)
- Tom Ross - Knee (15+)
- Julian Heaven - Shoulder (Season)
- Langi Gleeson - Calf (TBC)
- Max Jorgensen - Hamstring (Season)
- Teddy Wilson - Concussion Protocols (Rd 13+)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 12: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies.
Saturday May 11 at Allianz Stadium.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEST.
Purchase your tickets here.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
