Potgieter back for Waratahs
The Waratahs team to face the Rebels on Friday features two changes with Jacques Potgieter back at lock and Alofa Alofa coming in on the wing.
After an outstanding display off the bench last week, when he replaced Dave Dennis, the powerful Potgieter will partner the Leinster-bound Kane Douglas in the second row.
The front row remains intact, meaning that loosehead prop Benn Robinson will become the Waratahs' equal most-capped Super Rugby player (121) alongside Al Baxter when he runs out against the Rebels. Only Phil Waugh has played more Super games, with a record tally of 132.
Hooker Tatafu Polota Nau will also go down in the history books on Friday, when he becomes the Waratahs' fifth most capped player of all time (surpassing Matt Burke on 115). Completing the front row is tighthead Paddy Ryan.
The loose trio consists of Michael Hooper at openside flank, skipper Dave Dennis on the blindside and the in-form Wycliff Palu at No.8.
In the halves, Nick Phipps will partner Bernard Foley, who needs just two points to become the Waratahs' sixth highest Super Rugby points scorer.
Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper forms the centre partnership, whilst Rob Horne has made the left wing his own, following his two-try effort against the Lions.
On the right wing, Carraro makes way for Alofa, with the man known as bread back to full fitness after a knee injury.
Eager to get back on the try-scorers list, Israel Folau will again wear the No.15 jumper.
Despite stringing together back-to-back victories in the last two rounds, getting a win in Melbourne won't be easy, says Waratahs defensive coach Nathan Grey, who spent three years on the Rebels' coaching staff before joining the Sydney franchise this season.
"They are always tough to beat at home and they'll have a lot of confidence, highlighted by their first away win over the Reds," said Grey.
"Plus in their last home game against the competition-leading Sharks, they put themselves in a position to win. They've got good support and they'll have the crowd screaming for them," he added.
The Waratahs have won six of their seven past encounters against the Rebels, with the only one going against them being the second of the teams' two encounters in 2013.
Winning on the road has been a battle the season, with the Waratahs only away win of 2014 coming in South Africa.
Cheika has named a 10-man bench, with two to be omitted closer to kick-off.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 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, 6 Dave Dennis (captain), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Jacques Potgieter, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson. .
Replacements – from: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Matt Carraro, 24 Pat McCutcheon, 25 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Date: Friday May 23
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
