NSW Waratahs playmaker Jack Bowen has been rewarded for his impact in the team’s Super Rugby Pacific win over the Western Force last weekend with selection in the starting side for Saturday’s must win game against the Blues.
His selection at No. 10 for the Round 16 game at Eden Park, Auckland, is his first under Head Coach Dan McKellar. His last start was in the final round against the Reds in 2024.
From his 11 caps with the NSW Waratahs that includes his run-on against the Reds last year, nine have been as a replacement flyhalf and one as a centre.
His selection sees Tane Edmed named on the 5-3 bench.
“Jack, along with Teddy Wilson, had a huge impact last week under pressure with his calm, direction and vision in attack," McKellar said.
“He has earned this start with his consistent hard work throughout the season in both training and his game time off the bench.
“This is a big game with a lot at stake. He is ready for a big game opportunity like this.”
Injury has impacted other changes. In the forwards, openside flanker Charlie Gamble (calf) is out, his place taken by Jamie Adamson while Leafi Talataina has been named on the bench.
In the backs, captain and scrumhalf Jake Gordon’s sidelining with a hamstring injury in last Saturday’s game sees Teddy Wilson start in the No. 9 strip.
In turn, scrumhalf Jack Grant will be one of three backs on the bench.
Gordon’s absence also means flanker Hugh Sinclair will lead the side again.
Also, Lalakai Foketi has been ruled out, but with a shoulder subluxation last Saturday, leading Henry O’Donnell named as outside centre in the run on side.
And winger Andrew Kellaway’s comeback to the start side after recovering from illness that scratched him last week, sees Darby Lancaster return to the bench.
The absence of Gordon and Foketi are setbacks for the NSW Waratahs, but McKellar has full faith in the capabilities of the side that will take on the Blues.
“At this end of the season, all teams will be impacted by injuries that inevitable test the depth of the squad," McKellar said.
“We are missing some through injury, but the players who will start in their place have shown this season that they can step up.
To make the finals, the NSW Waratahs, eighth on the ladder with 26 points, must first beat the Blues at Eden Park.
But if they do win, they will still need Moana Pasifika to lose to the Hurricanes who play in Wellington after.
Moana Pasifika and the Blues are both on 28 points, in sixth and seventh places respectively.
- Loosehead Prop Angus Bell (Sydney University)
2. Hooker David Porecki (Manly)
3. Tighthead Prop Taniela Tupou (West Harbour)
4. Left Lock Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
5. Right Lock Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Left Flanker Hugh Sinclair (C - Northern Suburbs)
7. Right Flanker Jamie Adamson (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Number Eight Langi Gleeson (Manly)
9. Scrumhalf Teddy Wilson (Eastern Suburbs)
10. Flyhalf Jack Bowen (Eastern Suburbs)
11. Left Wing Triston Reilly (Randwick)
12. Inside Centre Joey Walton (Gordon)
13. Outside Centre Henry O'Donnell (Northern Suburbs)
14. Right Wing Andrew Kellaway (Randwick)
15. Fullback Lawson Creighton (Randwick)
16. Reserve Mahe Vailanu (Gordon)
17. Reserve Tom Lambert (Sydney University)
18. Reserve Daniel Botha (Sydney University)
19. Reserve Ben Grant (Sydney University)
20. Reserve Leafi Talataina (Sydney University)
21. Reserve Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Reserve Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
23. Reserve Darby Lancaster (Eastern Suburbs)
Jake Gordon (hamstring)
Lalakai Foketi (shoulder)
Charlie Gamble (calf)
Max Jorgensen (syndesmosis)
Rob Leota (ankle)
Jimmy Hendren (broken wrist)
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (concussion/fractured jaw)
What: NSW Waratahs v the Blues
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: Saturday, 31 May, 2025
Kick-off: 2.35 pm (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
