Waratahs rest Wallabies trio for Sunwolves
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson has shuffled his starting XV ahead of his side’s home game on Friday in Newcastle when they come up against the Sunwolves in Round Seven of Super Rugby.
As part of the World Cup player management agreement in place, Gibson has opted to rest Wallabies players Bernard Foley, Jack Dempsey and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The rotation provides the opportunity for Mack Mason to get his first start of the season with Michael Wells, Lachlan Swinton and Kamichael Hunt promoted off the bench. Also returning to the starting XV will be Curtis Rona on the wing.
Tom Saniforth returns to the squad after missing the opening rounds of the season with a right ankle injury.
For the first time in Super Rugby history, the Waratahs are heading to Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium and coach Daryl Gibson said the team are excited for the opportunity.
“We really have seen this season as an opportunity to take our game to our fans right across New South Wales and we are looking forward to playing in Newcastle on Friday night,” said Gibson.
“The Newcastle region has a great rugby community and our whole squad, coaches included, will be spending time over the coming days within the Newcastle and Central Coast region working with coaches, clubs, schools and the broader community.
“This round for us will be celebrating country rugby and with close to 30 percent of the squad hailing from the regional NSW, we recognise just how important country rugby is to our player pathways,” he said.
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Mack Mason, 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 Harry Johnson-Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Tuala, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Ryan Mccauley, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Lalakai Foketi, 23 Alex Newsome.
Date: Friday, March 29
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.45 Japan time; 08.45 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
