Coach Rob Penney has recalled two Wallaby forwards into his starting pack - and named a former Eel to the bench - for the Waratahs clash with the Blues in Newcastle on Saturday night.
With wet weather forecast for the round two clash at MacDonald Jones Stadium, the forward battle will take on extra significance and Penney has turned to Test players by elevating Jack Dempsey from the bench to start at no.8, replacing Jed Holloway.
Novocastrian tighthead prop Harry Johnson-Holmes, who made his Wallabies debut last year in South Africa, will start at tighthead after missing the Tahs’ round one loss to the Crusaders due to illness.
Penney stuck solid with his young backline, led by Will Harrison at no.10, but has named former NRL star Tepai Moeroa on the bench for a probable debut.
Moeroa was recruited from league last year but didn’t play in the trials.
"He covers the midfield really and probably moreso 12, than 13, but he can cover both,” Penney said of Moeroa.
"It’s early days for him but he is a big strong man and he has a good skillset, and his game understanding is what has really grown over the last month, and we think the time is right now to see if it’s grown to a good enough level to contribute positively.
"We think he will. And if we’re right we have another great bit of talent and depth in that midfield position that will be very strong for us.”
Penney said the back row change was part of a process to determine NSW's "best mix”, with Dempsey joining Michael Hooper and Lachie Swinton to take on the Blues.
Dempsey had injury setbacks over summer but is now fit, Penney said.
"After a couple of good performances off the bench, he (Dempsey) looks like he is well now, which is great,” he said.
"Jed has gone really good, we are wrapped with what Jed has contributed to the group.
"We are yet to formulate what will ultimately be our best mix, and that’s a bit of a process that’s going on. It will take a bit of time.”
After an impressive debut performance against the Crusaders in Nelson from Harrison, there was no question that he would get another chance at no.10, said Penney.
"I think it is pretty obvious really, a young ten needs time. He is not going to learn it sitting on the bench, not taking part in some way. He needs a meaningful opportunity,” Penney said.
"As does any young player, but particularly at ten which is such a difficult and challenging position to play. All the decision making and chaos that goes on around you, it’s a position moreso than any other where a player can grow given the opportunity.
"We saw more than enough in Will last week to indicate he is going to be a really good prospect there, so he gets a chance to take another step forward this week."
Penney said the Blues were a strong opponent who’d played good football against the Chiefs in round one, but similarly to the Waratahs, suffered with lapses in intensity and concentration.
"When the Chiefs stepped up the intensity, a few errors crept in and they turned over balls at crucial times in that second half. They’re capable, their first forty minutes was good and if they’d played like that for eighty they would have won,” Penney said.
"It’ll depend a little bit, when you play the Blues, it depends on which team turns up. If they’re up and excited they will be very, very dangerous.
"Obviously the weather conditions for the weekend don’t look like they’ll be conducive to too-expansive a game style so I guess the team that adjusts better on the night will have a positive outcome.
WARATAHS V BLUES, NEWCASTLE, 7.15PM
1. Tom Robertson
2. Robbie Abel
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
4. Tom Staniforth
5. Rob Simmons (c)
6. Lachie Swinton
7. Michael Hooper
8. Jack Dempsey
9. Jake Gordon
10. Will Harrison
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase
12. Karmichael Hunt
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Alex Newsome
15. Kurtley Beale
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Angus Bell
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Ryan McCauley
20. Jed Holloway
21. Tepai Moeroa
22. Mitch Short
23. Jack Maddocks
