Waratahs Hunt(ing) without another star
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Waratahs’ play-off hopes took another hit with confirmation that they have lost another key playmaker.
In what is a pivotal clash in the context of the Waratahs season, coach Daryl Gibson has named a largely unchanged line up for Friday’s Round 16 Super Rugby match with the Melbourne Rebels.
Karmichael Hunt is the major omission through injury, after the centre went down in the opening minutes last week against the Jaguares.
Hunt will be replaced by Lalakai Foketi, following an impressive performance off the bench against the Argentinians.
Curtis Rona returns to the starting XV in place of Cameron Clark, while Mack Mason joins the bench.
Loosehead Prop Tom Robertson will earn his 50th Waratahs and Super Rugby cap.
Jed Holloway can notch a half-century of appearances if he comes off the bench.
Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Tuala, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Jed Holloway, 20 Will Miller, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Mack Mason, 23 Cameron Clark.
Date: Friday, May 31
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
