The Waratahs' injury crisis has continued with captain Jake Gordon set to spend an extended time on the sidelines.
It was initially feared Gordon could miss the rest of the year, however, scans came back better than expected, revealing an MCL injury.
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He is joined on the sidelines by Dave Porecki (calf), Darcy Breen (neck) and Jack Maddocks (hand).
Jack Grant returns to the starting side, with new recruit Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco coming in at number eight.
"Rahboni’s impact last week was pretty good and we’re interested to see what he can do with more minutes starting the match at Number 8,” Whitaker said.
“We want to see him get his hands on the ball and show what he can do”.
Former Force prop Pek Cowan has been called into the side with the likes of Angus Bell and Harry Johnson-Holmes still on the sidelines.
However, they are boosted by the returns of Tom Horton, James Ramm (arm) and Hugh Sinclair (shoulder).
As for the Chiefs, they will welcome captain Brad Weber back to the starting side after he was on the bench for their narrow win over the Rebels.
Along with this, Sean Wainui returns from injury to start on the wing, with Quinn Tupaea and Alex Nankivell combining in the centres, pushing Anton Lienert-Brown to the bench.
Despite coming off a win, coach Clayton McMillan is eager to put in a better performance against the winless Waratahs.
“While we came away with the win, we were frustrated with our performance last weekend against the Melbourne Rebels," he said in a statement.
We are better than that and want to produce a performance we are proud of for our fans back home.”
“We have a solid starting fifteen and plenty of fire power on the bench. Viliami and Tom have been putting in some hard yards back at home, so this is a great opportunity for them to get a run on the field this weekend.”
WARATAHS (1-15): Andrew Tuala, Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Whetton, Lachie Swinton, Jack Dempsey, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome (c), Mark Nawaqanitawase
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Pek Cowan, Chris Talakai, Sam Caird, Jeremy Williams, Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed
INs: Pek Cowan, James Ramm, Henry Robertson, Tom Horton, Hugh Sinclair, Tetera Faulkner
OUTs: Vunipola Fifita, Jack Maddocks, Jake Gordon, Dave Porecki, Carlo Tizzano, Darcy Breen
CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Angus Ta'avao, Zane Kapeli, Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (c), Bryn Gatland, Sean Wainui, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Shaun Stevenson, Kaleb Trask
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Viliami Taulani, Tom Florence, Xavier Roe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Chase Tiatia
INs: Aidan Ross, Sean Wainui, Viliami Taulani, Tom Florence
OUTs: Sione Mafileo, Josh Lord, Bailyn Sullivan, Mitchell Brown,
