Potgieter to make an impact for Tahs
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Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has shaken up his starting XV as the defending champions look to make amends for last weekend’s loss when they meet the undefeated Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.
Wallaby outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the Waratahs starting line-up for the first time since Round two, while Tolu Latu, Pat McCutcheon and Peter Betham also earn starts.
In preparation for the physical contest, Cheika is expected to play the extra forward on the bench (six-two split) and he will have a wealth of ammunition to bring off the bench including Tatafu Polota-Nau and Jacques Potgieter.
The Waratahs head into Saturday’s fixture against the top of the table Hurricanes in 10th place on the Super Rugby standings after a four-three win record to start 2015.
But despite the precarious position that the Waratahs have left themselves in at the half-way point of the competition, the franchise’s assistant coach Daryl Gibson isn’t viewing the game as the be-all and end-all.
“No, I don’t think it’s do or die,” Gibson said.
“I think it’s an opportunity to correct and treat our identity.
“We let ourselves down against the Stormers and while we know we’re playing the Canes this weekend, our focus has been solely on ourselves to make sure how we perform is up to the standard we expect it to be, and if the consequences are that we beat the ‘Canes, then that would be great.”
In May 2014, the last time the two teams met, the Waratahs rallied strongly to overcome the fast-starting Hurricanes 39-30 in Sydney.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Pat McCutcheon, 5 Dave Dennis (captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements – from: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Jacques Potgieter, Mitchell Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Brendan McKibbin, Matt Carraro, David Horwitz, Jed Holloway.
Date: Saturday, April 18
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 AEST, 04.30 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Shane McDermott, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Glenn Newman
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