Folau blow for Waratahs
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has made six changes and brought in two new faces to the run-on side for the Round Eight Super Rugby clash against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Waratahs, who are aiming to become the first Australian team this year to score a win in South Africa this weekend, suffered a big blow on Thursday.
They will have to do it without the Super Rugby competition's leading try scorer, Israel Folau – who continues his recovery from a throat injury and will be replaced at fullback by Kurtley Beale.
Beale has recovered from a minor case of whiplash and will wear the No.15 for the first time in 2014.
Replacing Beale at inside centre and partnering Adam Ashley-Cooper will be Jono Lance, who played fullback in the loss to the Sharks.
With Rob Horne suspended, Alofa Alofa returns to the team on the right wing, partnering Peter Betham who remains on the left.
With Wycliff Palu ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in the loss to the Sharks in Durban last week, Cheika has been forced to reshuffle his back row.
Captain Dave Dennis has been moved to No.8 and Jacques Potgieter finds himself in his favourite spot in the back row.
With Potgieter out of the tight five, man mountain Will Skelton gets his chance and will start at lock alongside Kane Douglas in the second row.
Cheika has stuck with the front row of Benn Robinson at loosehead, Sekope Kepu at tighthead and Tatafu Polota Nau at hooker.
The halves are untouched with Nick Phipps (No.9) and Bernard Foley (No.10) in the playmaker roles.
Last year the Waratahs beat the Stormers 21-15 at home in Sydney
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Jono Lance, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Dave Dennis (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: To be confirmed.
Date: Saturday, April 5
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT; 03.10, Sunday, April 6 AEST)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
