Tahs call on fresh hooker
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Young hooker Hugh Roach is likely to start for the Waratahs against the Lions on Saturday after the suspension of Silatolu Latu.
The 22-year-old is expected to be thrown into action for the Super Rugby defending champions with incumbent hooker Latu banned for four weeks for a dangerous tackle and Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (concussion) still being rested.
The Waratahs flew out to Johannesburg leaving Latu behind in Australia, but did travel with the suspended Will Skelton, indicating they believe their appeal they launched on the suspensions may clear Skelton to play in one, if not both games against the Lions and the Cheetahs.
Roach, who has five Super Rugby caps, is set to become the starting hooker with Dave Porecki called in as backup.
"Unfortunately it's come under these circumstances but I'm going to take my opportunity and give it everything I've got and see what happens," said Roach.
"I've been in and around the Tahs for a while.
"I've been on standby if anything ever happens so it dawned on me when it hit everyone else. I'm looking forward to it.
"I'm pretty confident in myself to give the best that I can and the boys have been really good for the time I've been here."
Mitchell Chapman is expected to go from the bench to start alongside skipper Dave Dennis at lock if the Skelton appeal fails.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika backed the appeal over the suspensions of Latu and Skelton.
"We're aware that rugby is trying to make sure that these tip tackles are clamped down on and we agree with that idea totally," he said.
"We just feel the tackles didn't meet the criteria of the law for a red card like the match officials saw it on the day. So we'll go through the appeal process."
Source: AAP
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