VIDEO: Waratahs get a Wallaby boost
The single modification is the inclusion of Australia scrumhalf Nick Phipps on the bench. Phipps, who returns after nursing a calf injury for eight weeks, replaces Mitch Short in the side that beat the Sunwolves in Tokyo last Saturday.
Waratahs Coach Daryl Gibson said naming an unchanged starting line-up was a reflection of performance.
"Firstly being able to name an unchanged line-up is a reward to the guys for performing for us.
"We’ve had six games, four of those have been on the road and this will only be our third game at home so it’s nice to be back home, particularly for such as a prestigious game.
"Having the opportunity for the guys to play on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time since 1983 is very exciting, and it’s great to be a part of that.
"Secondly, to welcome Nick [Phipps] back. It’s been a long, hard road for him. He’s had six to eight weeks of nearly being there and he’s finally passed fit and he had a good trot last week for Sydney University," Gibson said.
Waratahs: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Will Miller, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan , 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Cameron Clark.
Date: Saturday, April 14
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Kick-off: 19.45 (9.45 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen & James Leckie
TMO: George Ayoub
