Alex Newsome has backed their playmakers to step up for the Waratahs following the loss of flyhalf Will Harrison.
Harrison suffered a hamstring injury during their 24-22 loss to the Brumbies in Round Six.
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It is expected that he will miss the rest of the Super Rugby AU season, with a view towards having him ready for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Newsome admits that Harrison was 'disappointed' by the diagnosis as the squad looks to register their first win of 2021.
“He’s really disappointed,” Newsome said on Harrison.
“He’s a guy who rips in every week, smaller guy but never shies away from the contact.
“We’re disappointed for Harro but we’re hopeful that we’ll have him back for the first round of Trans Tasman and we have full confidence in Donno (Ben Donaldson) and Tane (Edmed) to get the job done which is exciting for them.”
With Harrison ruled out, it allows Tane Edmed and Ben Donaldson, two players that came through the Randwick system with Harrison, to get their chance to impress at when they travel to Perth to take on the Force.
Edmed, 20, was expected to start after coming off the bench for the Waratahs throughout the season, making his name in the Shute Shield for Eastwood after moving from the 'Wicks.
However, Donaldson, who returned for Randwick last week after missing the start of the season with injury, is reportedly set to be named come Thursday.
Whichever way the Waratahs go, they are set to face a boisterous Force crowd, something Newsome is very familiar with.
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Newsome made his debut for the club in 2017 before they were removed from the comp, opening the scoring in their final Super Rugby game, a 40-11 win over the Waratahs.
Despite spending only a year with the club, Newsome was full of praise for their supporters as he looks to reverse the result from his last visit to HBF Park.
"They are one of the best supporters in Super Rugby and the world,” he believes.
“You’ve seen that in their games this year and there’s a lot of ex-pats, whether they’re Kiwis, South Africans, who embrace their rugby in their Perth jerseys.
“That was a great memory in ’17 but looking to go over this week and reverse the result and drink a few Emu exports after the game.”
The Western Force will return to Perth and kick off round nine of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU, taking on the Waratahs at HBF Park, the home side will look to keep their finals hopes alive once they kick off at 7.45pm AEST, LIVE on Stan Sport and simulcast on 9Gem, click here to purchase tickets.
