The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Queensland Reds in Round 15 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Friday at 7:35pm AEST at Allianz Stadium.
Unable to qualify for the finals series, the Waratahs will look to finish their season off on a positive note against their traditional rivals in front of their loyal fans.
To combat the severe list of injuries in the front-row, Head Coach Darren Coleman has called upon the services of Paddy Ryan, who has played over 100 matches for the Waratahs prior to his stint in Japan.
“It was great of Paddy to answer the SOS and his experience in the front-row will be invaluable,” Coleman said.
Unfortunately for the Tahs, Ned Hanigan has succumbed to a back complaint, but Tom Ross and Lachlan Swinton have returned from injury to bolster the pack, with Miles Amatosero also promoted to the starting line-up.
In the backline, exciting prospect Jack Bowen has been given an opportunity to start his first Super Rugby Pacific match at flyhalf, with Tane Edmed dropping back to the bench.
“We’ve been looking for opportunities to give Jack a game during the year and now he gets his chance to start after a promising performance from the bench last week,” Coleman said. “I’m excited to watch him grow.”
Bowen’s excitement is enhanced by this being his first chance to play for the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.
“I can’t wait for that feeling to run out onto Allianz Stadium for the Waratahs,” Bowen said. “I’ve been going there since I was six or seven years old watching all these legends play so to get the opportunity to do that this Friday night is going to be a pretty special night for me and my family.
“I’m obviously focused on this week against the Reds, but it’s definitely a massive opportunity for me to press my claims for next year as well.”
Triston Reilly returns to the right wing with Izaia Perese reverting to the reserves list where Teddy Wilson also replaces Jack Grant.
“Teddy returns after his concussion protocols,” Coleman said. “We’ve been trying to give him more opportunities throughout the year to watch him develop further.”
Whilst the side is disappointed to not be playing finals football in 2024, the match against the Reds will serve as a terrific way for the Waratahs faithful to farewell several departing players such as Hanigan, Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, and Swinton, whilst Will Harrison, Mosese Tuipulotu and Harry Wilson will also be in attendance on the night.
“Definitely mixed emotions for me this week,” Perese said. “It’s been a good four seasons here at the Tahs and I’m forever grateful for the opportunity they presented me back in 2021.
“It is bittersweet. I’m nothing but grateful to the fans that have supported us through thick and thin, through the highs and the lows.
“There’s never a dead rubber in rugby. Even though we’re not in finals contention we’ve got pride on the line. I’m still going to go out there and give it my all and wear my heart on my sleeve.”
The Waratahs players will be wearing their junior club socks on Friday to help celebrate Grassroots Round, with junior players also forming a guard of honour as they run 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
Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
Jay Fonokalafi (Gordon)
Tom Ross (Northern Suburbs)
Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
Joey Walton (Gordon)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Ben Sugars (Randwick)
Lewis Ponini (Eastern Suburbs)
Brad Amituanai (Sydney University)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
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)
- Julian Heaven - Shoulder (Season)
- Max Jorgensen - Hamstring (Season)
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer - Knee (Season)
- Harry Johnson-Holmes - Achillies (Season)
- Enrique Pieretto - Neck
- Ned Hanigan - Back
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 15: NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds.
Friday May 31 at Allianz Stadium.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEST.
Click here to purchase your tickets.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
