Folau to miss final pool match
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Israel Folau has been ruled out of Saturday’s showdown with the Reds with the fullback suffering from a corked thigh.
Folau will be replaced by Cam Crawford, who makes his fourth start for the season.
The remainder of the backline is untouched, with Rob Horne and Alofa Alofa on the wings and Adam Ashley-Cooper at No.13.
Kurtley Beale will play at inside centre while the halves are Bernard Foley at flyhalf and Nick Phipps at scrumhalf.
Will Skelton has been recalled to the starting lineup at lock, alongside Kane Douglas, while Stephen Hoiles has held his spot at blindside flank, captain Michael Hooper is at openside and Wycliff Palu is the No.8.
In the forwards, the front row is Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau and Sekope Kepu.
Coach Michael Cheika has named a travelling bench with one to be omitted for the matchday 23.
If he takes to the field, the match will mark a debut for 22-year-old prop Michael Ala’alatoa.
The former Samoan Under 20s player has been called into the squad in place of Paddy Ryan, who suffered a minor ankle injury in the win over the Highlanders.
The match is the Waratahs’ final match of the 2014 regular season.
Waratahs: 15 Cam Crawford, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Stephen Hoiles , 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements (one to be omitted): 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Michael Ala'alatoa, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Pat McCutcheon , 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Jono Lance, 24 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
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