Hooper to lead Tahs for first time

 

Initially expect to by be fit, Dennis has failed to recover from a knee injury sustained in Sunday’s bonus-point win over the Force.

 

His place in the starting line-up will be taken by Stephen Hoiles, with Pat McCutcheon joining the bench.

 

Invited to train with the squad for the 2014 pre-season, Hoiles was named on the bench for last week’s Force clash and came on for Dennis in the 66th minute.  

 

The eight-year stretch between caps (he last played for the Waratahs on May 19, 2006) is bettered by only two other players (Phil Hardcastle 2/5/1938 to 27/7/1946 and Jack Turnbull 12/6/1939 to 24/5/1947) – both of whom had their careers interrupted by World War II.

 

Waratahs – revised: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements – from: 16 Tola Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pat McCutcheon, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Rob Horne, 23 Matt Carraro, 24 Pat McCutcheon, 25 Jonno Lance.

 

Date: Saturday, March 1

Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)

TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)