The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Hurricanes in Round 11 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Friday at 5:05pm AEST at Sky Stadium.
NSW has been hit hard by injuries which has forced Head Coach Darren Coleman to make some changes to his side that battled bravely against the Chiefs last week.
In the forward pack, the Waratahs will be without the services of the experienced Jed Holloway and Ned Hanigan, whilst the club's already depleted front-row stocks suffered a further blow with Tom Ross sidelined after injuring his MCL against the Chiefs.
Ross' absence is somewhat offset by the return of Hayden Thompson-Stringer, who will start the match at prop.
From last week's starting pack, Miles Amatosero and Charlie Gamble have been named on the bench with Fergus Lee-Warner returning to the team, and Hunter Ward selected to play his first Super Rugby Pacific game for 2024.
"Miles and Charlie move to the bench due to a disrupted training week with some niggling injuries which opens the door for Hunter Ward and Fergus Lee-Warner," Coleman said.
"Hunter is a combative and industrious number seven who did well with his opportunity against the Blues last year and has been one of the top performers in the Shute Shield this season."
In the backline, Will Harrison has been named to start his first match of the season at flyhalf, whilst Mark Nawaqanitawase shifts to fullback, Dylan Pietsch returns to the wing and Max Jorgensen drops out of the line-up.
Former Fijian Rugby League international, Vuate Karawalevu, is also in line to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut after being selected in the reserves list.
"This week provides an opportunity for Will to take control of the team and steer them around from the opening whistle," Coleman said. "I'm highly interested to see how this plays out.
"In keeping with the back three rotation of late, Max will rotate out of the side, enabling Dylan Pietsch to come back into the starting side. Dylan was great for Randwick last week and deserves his spot.
"We always wanted to give Vuate an opportunity at some stage this year. He's been a committed and hard-working member of the squad and this is a good opportunity to see his attributes under the pressure of Super Rugby.
Hugh Sinclair will play his 50th match for the Waratahs in the clash with the Hurricanes, who will be looking to bounce back after a loss to the ACT Brumbies last week.
Position
1. Loosehead Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead Prop
4. Left Lock
5. Right Lock
6. Left Flanker
7. Right Flanker
8. Number 8
9. Scrumhalf
10. Flyhalf
11. Left Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Right Wing
15. Fullback
16. Reserve
17. Reserve
18. Reserve
19. Reserve
20. Reserve
21. Reserve
22. Reserve
23. Reserve
Name
Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Manly)
Julian Heaven (Eastern Suburbs)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Sydney University)
Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
Hunter Ward (Manly)
Langi Gleeson (Manly)
Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
Will Harrison (Randwick)
Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
Izaia Perese (Randwick)
Triston Reilly (Randwick)
Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
Jay Fonokalafi (Gordon)
Lewis Ponini (Eastern Suburbs)
Brad Amituanai (Sydney University)
Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
Vuate Karawalevu (West Harbour)*
*denotes potential debut
Players unavailable for selection:
- David Porecki - Achillies (TBC)
- Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
- Archer Holz - Shoulder (TBC)
- Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
- Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (TBC)
- Daniel Botha - Achillies (Season)
- Mahe Vailanu - Knee (Season)
- Angus Bell - Toe (Season)
- Theo Fourie - Foot (Season)
- Joey Walton - Foot (Rd 13+)
- Ned Hanigan - Neck (Rd 12+)
- Tom Ross - Knee (15+)
- Jed Holloway - Concussion protocols (Rd 12+)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 11: NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes.
Friday May 3 at Sky Stadium.
Kick-off 5:05pm AEST.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.
