The NSW Waratahs have made two changes to the starting line-up for Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Round 6 tie against the Blues at Allianz Stadium (7.35pm kick-off AEDT).
Lock Miles Amatosero and wing Harry Potter both come into the team, with Joey Walton set to earn his 50th Super Rugby Pacific cap for the club. Walton, 25, made his debut against the Reds in Brisbane in 2020.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar believes his side are ready for the Blues, while praising Walton for his importance to the side.
“We’ve trained and prepared well this week having reviewed our performance against the Reds,” McKellar said.
“The Blues are a good side and come here off the back of some positive results. It’s going to be a challenge but one that our players are up for.
“I’m delighted for Joey to reach 50 caps after the injury run he had. He’s an important part of the group and an excellent rugby player.”
The front row of Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha remains unchanged, with the trio having lined up together in three of our four games so far.
In the second row, Amatosero returns having dropped to the bench for the Reds game, partnering captain Matt Philip in the second row.
In the back row, Clem Halaholo is again named at blindside flanker, with Englishman Jamie Adamson taking his place at openside. Adamson, who scored a try on his first appearance of the season against the Reds last weekend, was a late replacement for Charlie Gamble in that game, who is again ruled out with a hamstring injury. Pete Samu is an ever-present for the team at number eight.
In the halves, the experienced Jake Gordon and Jack Debreczeni continue their partnership at nine and ten respectively.
Walton, who was born in Newcastle, will make his 50th Super Rugby Pacific appearance for the Waratahs at inside centre. Walton once had a spell of 763 days on the sidelines with long-term ankle and knee injuries but has now become a key part of the set-up at Daceyville. Triston Reilly takes his place at outside centre once again after impressing there last week.
There is a change in the back three, with Wallaby wing Potter returning to the side after scoring his first try for the Waratahs against the Reds. This means a shift around, with Max Jorgensen switching from right to left wing and Narrabri-born Sid Harvey named at full-back, replacing James Hendren, who is ruled out with a wrist injury
On the bench, Angus Blyth is named as lock replacement after a solid performance last week against his former club, while George Poolman comes into the squad as the final back replacement, having made his Waratahs debut in Round 4 against the Hurricanes.
The Waratahs have lost their previous 11 matches against the Blues, last beating the Auckland-based side in 2015 at Sydney Football Stadium, a 23-11 win.
You can buy tickets for Saturday night’s massive clash against the Blues at Allianz Stadium at waratahs.rugby/tickets
Waratahs v Blues Round 6 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific, Saturday 21 March, 7.35pm kick-off AEDT Allianz Stadium, 40/44 Driver Avenue, Moore Park, NSW 2021 Starting XV:
- Tom Lambert
- Ethan Dobbins
- Daniel Botha
- Matt Philip ©
- Miles Amatosero
- Clem Halaholo
- Jamie Adamson
- Pete Samu
- Jake Gordon
- Jack Debreczeni
- Max Jorgensen
- Joey Walton
- Triston Reilly
- Harry Potter
- Sid Harvey
Replacements:
16. Ioane Moananu
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Siosifa Amone
19. Angus Blyth
20. Leafi Talataina
21. Teddy Wilson
22. Lawson Creighton
23. George Poolman
Injury list:
- Eamon Doyle – ankle injury
- Austin Durbidge – appendicitis
- Charlie Gamble – hamstring
- James Hendren – wrist
- Andrew Kellaway - cork
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - hamstring
