The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Fijian Drua in Round 5 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday at 12:05pm AEDT at Churchill Park.
Head Coach Darren Coleman has welcomed back Max Jorgensen from a hip complaint, with the talented youngster named to start at fullback.
Jorgensen’s return sees Mark Nawaqanitawase return to the wing in his 50th Super Rugby appearance. Nawaqanitawase’s positional shift results in Triston Reilly reverting back to the reserves list.
In the forwards, Mahe Vailanu returns from injury to start at hooker, with Julian Heaven named on the reserves list. Heaven made the most of his first-ever Super Rugby Pacific start last week, playing 73 minutes with a high work-rate and precision in the line-out.
Vailanu will pack down alongside Angus Bell, who returns to the starting line-up and Hayden Thompson-Stringer shifting back to the reserves list.
The match will be the first time the Waratahs have ever played in Fiji for a Super Rugby clash.
“We’re really excited to play the Drua in Fiji for the first time,” Captain Jake Gordon said.
“It's going to be a hostile crowd. The heat will be a factor, but both teams are going to feel the heat.
“We've done a really good job against Fiji every time we played them; nullified their threats. We've had some really good results against them, but we’ve got to work hard to make sure that continues.
“The risk over there is when the ball gets a little bit wetter, we don't get looser with it too.
“We’ve got to have a smart kicking game. Go to set-piece. Trying not to play like the Drua in Fiji is really important for us this week.”
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
Angus Bell (Sydney University)
Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
Ned Hanigan (Randwick)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Max Jorgensen (Randwick)
Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)
Tom Ross (Northern Suburbs)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (TBC)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (Round 8)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Lalakai Foketi - Neck (Round 6+)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (TBC)
- Daniel Botha - Concussion and neck (Round 6+)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 5: NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua.
Saturday March 23 at Churchill Park.
Kick-off 12:05pm AEDT.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
