Waratahs get a Wallaby boost
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: NSW Waratahs will head to the Gold Coast this Friday to take on the Western Force in Round 7 of Super Rugby AU.
Rob Simmons will return from injury after being a late scratching from his side’s convincing last-start victory over the Reds.
The returning skipper will partner Tom Staniforth in the second row, with Ned Hanigan shifting to the reserves.
Tetera Faulkner earns his first start for the Waratahs in Super Rugby AU, while Robbe Abel returns to the bench after being unavailable for personal reasons.
It’s an unchanged starting backline for Rob Penney, with Mich Short, Ben Donaldson and Joey Walton all on the bench.
Waratahs: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 James Ramm, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Karmichael Hunt, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachie Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons (captain), 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Ned Hanigan, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mitch Short, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joey Walton.
Date: Friday, August 14
Venue: CBUS Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-off: 19.15 (09.15 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Amy Perrett & Graham Cooper
TMO: Brett Cronan
